Platen for a print on demand digital device

ABSTRACT

A platen for a print on demand digital device, such as a digital camera, is provided. The platen includes a print media transport roller located on a first side of a planar member to support print media. A cutting mechanism is located on a second opposite side of the planar member to sever the print media. The cutting mechanism includes a cutting wheel mounted to a block threaded on a rotating threaded rod. A pawl extends from the block and is arranged to incrementally rotate a counter wheel with each cutting action.

This is a Continuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 10/729,151 filed onDec. 8, 2003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates substantially to the concept of adisposable camera having instant printing capabilities and inparticular, discloses an image capture and processing device for adigital camera system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently, the concept of a “single use” disposable camera has become anincreasingly popular consumer item. Disposable camera systems presentlyon the market normally include an internal film roll and a simplifiedgearing mechanism for traversing the film roll across an imaging systemincluding a shutter and lensing system. The user, after utilising asingle film roll returns the camera system to a film development centrefor processing. The film roll is taken out of the camera system andprocessed and the prints returned to the user. The camera system is thenable to be re-manufactured through the insertion of a new film roll intothe camera system, the replacement of any worn or wearable parts and there-packaging of the camera system in accordance with requirements. Inthis way, the concept of a single use “disposable” camera is provided tothe consumer.

Recently, a camera system has been proposed by the present applicantwhich provides for a handheld camera device having an internal printhead, image sensor and processing means such that images sense by theimage sensing means, are processed by the processing means and adaptedto be instantly printed out by the printing means on demand. Theproposed camera system further discloses a system of internal “printrolls” carrying print media such as film on to which images are to beprinted in addition to ink to supplying the printing means for theprinting process. The print roll is further disclosed to be detachableand replaceable within the camera system.

Unfortunately, such a system is likely to only be constructed at asubstantial cost and it would be desirable to provide for a moreinexpensive form of instant camera system which maintains a substantialnumber of the quality aspects of the aforementioned arrangement.

It would be further advantageous to provide for the effectiveinterconnection of the sub components of a camera system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided animage capture and processing device which comprises

-   -   an image sensor integrated circuit;    -   a plurality of analogue-to-digital converters (ADC's) that are        connected to the image sensor integrated circuit to convert        analogue signals generated by the image sensor integrated        circuit into digital signals;    -   image processing circuitry that is connected to the ADC's to        carry out image processing operations on the digital signals and    -   a print head interface that is connected to the image processing        circuitry to receive data from the image processing circuitry        and to format that data correctly for a printhead.

A memory device may be interposed between the image sensor integratedcircuit and the image processing circuitry to store data relating to animage sensed by the image sensor integrated circuit.

The image sensor integrated circuit may define a CMOS active pixelsensor array. The image sensor integrated circuit may incorporate aplurality of analog signal processors that are configured to carry outenhancement processes on analog signals generated by the active pixelsensor array.

The image processing circuitry may include color interpolation circuitryto interpolate pixel data.

The image processing circuitry may include convolver circuitry that isconfigured to apply a convolution process to the image data.

The print head interface may be configured to format the data correctlyfor a pagewidth printhead.

The device may be a single integrated circuit.

The invention extends to a camera system that includes an image captureand processing device as described above.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there isprovided in a camera system comprising: an image sensor device forsensing an image; a processing means for processing the sensed image; aprint media supply means for the supply of print media to a print head;a print head for printing the sensed image on the print media storedinternally to the camera system; a portable power supply interconnectedto the print head, the sensor and the processing means; and a guillotinemechanism located between the print media supply means and the printhead and adapted to cut the print media into sheets of a predeterminedsize.

Further, preferably, the guillotine mechanism is detachable from thecamera system. The guillotine mechanism can be attached to the printmedia supply means and is detachable from the camera system with theprint media supply means. The guillotine mechanism can be mounted on aplaten unit below the print head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of thepresent invention, preferred forms of the invention will now bedescribed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of the assembled camera ofthe preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view, partly exploded, of thepreferred embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the chassis of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the chassis illustrating mounting ofelectric motors;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective of the ink supply mechanism of thepreferred embodiment;

FIG. 6 is rear perspective of the assembled form of the ink supplymechanism of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the assembled form of the inksupply mechanism of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the platen unit of thepreferred embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the assembled form of the platen unit;

FIG. 10 is also a perspective view of the assembled form of the platenunit;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the printhead recappingmechanism of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a close up exploded perspective of the recapping mechanism ofthe preferred embodiment;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective of the ink supply cartridge of thepreferred embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a close up perspective, view partly in section, of theinternal portions of the ink supply cartridge in an assembled form;

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of one form of integrated circuitlayer of the image capture and processing integrated circuit of thepreferred embodiment;

FIG. 16 is an exploded view perspective illustrating the assemblyprocess of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 17 illustrates a front exploded perspective view of the assemblyprocess of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of the assembly process of thepreferred embodiment;

FIG. 19 illustrates a perspective view of the assembly process of thepreferred embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating the insertion of the platenunit in the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 21 illustrates the interconnection of the electrical components ofthe preferred embodiment;

FIG. 22 illustrates the process of assembling the preferred embodiment;and

FIG. 23 is a perspective view further illustrating the assembly processof the preferred embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND OTHER EMBODIMENTS

Turning initially simultaneously to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 there areillustrated perspective views of an assembled camera constructed inaccordance with the preferred embodiment with FIG. 1 showing a frontperspective view and FIG. 2 showing a rear perspective view. The camera1 includes a paper or plastic film jacket 2 which can include simplifiedinstructions 3 for the operation of the camera system 1. The camerasystem 1 includes a first “take” button 4 which is depressed to capturean image. The captured image is output via output slot 6. A further copyof the image can be obtained through depressing a second “printer copy”button 7 whilst an LED light 5 is illuminated. The camera system alsoprovides the usual view finder 8 in addition to a CCD imagecapture/lensing system 9.

The camera system 1 provides for a standard number of output printsafter which the camera system 1 ceases to function. A prints leftindicator slot 10 is provided to indicate the number of remainingprints. A refund scheme at the point of purchase is assumed to beoperational for the return of used camera systems for recycling.

Turning now to FIG. 3, the assembly of the camera system is based aroundan internal chassis 12 which can be a plastic injection molded part. Apair of paper pinch rollers 28, 29 utilized for decurling are snapfitted into corresponding frame holes eg. 26, 27.

As shown in FIG. 4, the chassis 12 includes a series of mutually opposedprongs eg. 13, 14 into which is snapped fitted a series of electricmotors 16, 17. The electric motors 16, 17 can be entirely standard withthe motor 16 being of a stepper motor type. The motor 16, 17 includecogs 19, 20 for driving a series of gear wheels. A first set of gearwheels is provided for controlling a paper cutter mechanism and a secondset is provided for controlling print roll movement.

Turning next to FIGS. 5 to 7, there is illustrated an ink supplymechanism 40 utilized in the camera system. FIG. 5 illustrates a backexploded perspective view, FIG. 6 illustrates a back assembled view andFIG. 7 illustrates a front assembled view. The ink supply mechanism 40is based around an ink supply cartridge 42 which contains printer inkand a print head mechanism for printing out pictures on demand. The inksupply cartridge 42 includes a side aluminium strip 43 which is providedas a shear strip to assist in cutting images from a paper roll.

A dial mechanism 44 is provided for indicating the number of “printsleft”. The dial mechanism 44 is snap fitted through a correspondingmating portion 46 so as to be freely rotatable.

As shown in FIG. 6, the mechanism 40 includes a flexible PCB strip 47which interconnects with the print head and provides for control of theprint head. The interconnection between the Flex PCB strip and an imagesensor and print head integrated circuit can be via Tape AutomatedBonding (TAB) Strips 51, 58. A moulded aspherical lens and aperture shim50 (FIG. 5) is also provided for imaging an image onto the surface ofthe image sensor integrated circuit normally located within cavity 53and a light box module or hood 52 is provided for snap fitting over thecavity 53 so as to provide for proper light control. A series ofdecoupling capacitors eg. 34 can also be provided. Further a plug 45(FIG. 7) is provided for re-plugging ink holes after refilling. A seriesof guide prongs eg. 55-57 are further provided for guiding the flexiblePCB strip 47.

The ink supply mechanism 40 interacts with a platen unit 60 which guidesprint media under a printhead located in the ink supply mechanism. FIG.8 shows an exploded view of the platen unit 60, while FIGS. 9 and 10show assembled views of the platen unit. The platen unit 60 includes afirst pinch roller 61 which is snap fitted to one side of a platen base62. Attached to a second side of the platen base 62 is a cuttingmechanism 63 which traverses the platen unit 60 by means of a rod 64having a screw thread which is rotated by means of cogged wheel 65 whichis also fitted to the platen base 62. The screw threaded rod 64 mounts ablock 67 which includes a cutting wheel 68 fastened via a fastener 69.Also mounted to the block 67 is a counter actuator which includes a pawl71. The pawl 71 acts to rotate the dial mechanism 44 of FIG. 6 upon thereturn traversal of the cutting wheel. As shown previously in FIG. 6,the dial mechanism 44 includes a cogged surface which interacts withpawl 71, thereby maintaining a count of the number of photographs bymeans of numbers embossed on the surface of dial mechanism 44. Thecutting mechanism 63 is inserted into the platen base 62 by means of asnap fit via clips 74.

The platen unit 60 includes an internal recapping mechanism 80 forrecapping the print head when not in use. The recapping mechanism 80includes a sponge portion 81 and is operated via a solenoid coil so asto provide for recapping of the print head. In the preferred embodiment,there is provided an inexpensive form of printhead re-capping mechanismprovided for incorporation into a handheld camera system so as toprovide for printhead re-capping of an inkjet printhead.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exploded view of the recapping mechanism whilstFIG. 12 illustrates a close up of the end portion thereof. There-capping mechanism 80 is structured around a solenoid including a 16turn coil 75 which can comprise insulated wire. The coil 75 is turnedaround a first stationery solenoid arm 76 which is mounted on a bottomsurface of the platen base 62 (FIG. 8) and includes a post portion 77 tomagnify effectiveness of operation. The arm 76 can comprise a ferrousmaterial.

A second moveable arm 78 of the solenoid actuator is also provided. Thearm 78 is moveable and is also made of ferrous material. Mounted on thearm is a sponge portion surrounded by an elastomer strip 79. Theelastomer strip 79 is of a generally arcuate cross-section and act as aleaf spring against the surface of the printhead ink supply cartridge 42(FIG. 5) so as to provide for a seal against the surface of theprinthead ink supply cartridge 42. In the quiescent position anelastomer spring unit 87, 88 acts to resiliently deform the elastomerseal 79 against the surface of the ink supply unit 42.

When it is desired to operate the printhead unit, upon the insertion ofpaper, the solenoid coil 75 is activated so as to cause the arm 78 tomove down to be adjacent to the end plate 76. The arm 78 is held againstend plate 76 while the printhead is printing by means of a small “keepercurrent” in coil 75. Simulation results indicate that the keeper currentcan be significantly less than the actuation current. Subsequently,after photo printing, the paper is guillotined by the cutting mechanism63 of FIG. 8 acting against Aluminium Strip 43; and rewound so as toclear the area of the re-capping mechanism 80; Subsequently, the currentis turned off and springs 87, 88 return the arm 78 so that the elastomerseal is again resting against the printhead ink supply cartridge.

It can be seen that the preferred embodiment provides for a simple andinexpensive means of re-capping a printhead through the utilisation of asolenoid type device having a long rectangular form. Further, thepreferred embodiment utilises minimal power in that currents are onlyrequired whilst the device is operational and additionally, only a lowkeeper current is required whilst the printhead is printing.

Turning next to FIGS. 13 and 14, FIG. 13 illustrates an explodedperspective of the ink supply cartridge 42 whilst FIG. 14 illustrates aclose up sectional view of a bottom of the ink supply cartridge with theprinthead unit in place. The ink supply cartridge 42 is based around apagewidth printhead 102 which comprises a long slither of silicon havinga series of holes etched on the back surface for the supply of ink to afront surface of the silicon wafer for subsequent ejection via a microelectro mechanical system. The form of ejection can be many differentforms such as those set out in the tables below.

Of course, many other inkjet technologies, as referred to the attachedtables below, can also be utilised when constructing a printhead unit102. The fundamental requirement of the ink supply cartridge 42 is thesupply of ink to a series of colour channels etched through the backsurface of the printhead 102. In the description of the preferredembodiment, it is assumed that a three colour printing process is to beutilised so as to provide full colour picture output. Hence, the printsupply unit includes three ink supply reservoirs being a cyan reservoir104, a magenta reservoir 105 and a yellow reservoir 106. Each of thesereservoirs is required to store ink and includes a corresponding spongetype material 107-109 which assists in stabilising ink within thecorresponding ink channel and inhibiting the ink from sloshing back andforth when the printhead is utilised in a handheld camera system. Thereservoirs 104, 105, 106 are formed through the mating of first exteriorplastic piece 110 and a second base piece 111.

At a first end 118 of the base piece 111 a series of air inlet 113-115are provided. Each air inlet leads to a corresponding winding channelwhich is hydrophobically treated so as to act as an ink repellent andtherefore repel any ink that may flow along the air inlet channel. Theair inlet channel further takes a convoluted path assisting in resistingany ink flow out of the chambers 104-106. An adhesive tape portion 117is provided for sealing the channels within end portion 118.

At the top end, there is included a series of refill holes (not shown)for refilling corresponding ink supply chambers 104, 105, 106. A plug121 is provided for sealing the refill holes.

Turning now to FIG. 14, there is illustrated a close up perspectiveview, partly in section through the ink supply cartridge 42 of FIG. 13when formed as a unit. The ink supply cartridge includes the threecolour ink reservoirs 104, 105, 106 which supply ink to differentportions of the back surface of printhead 102 which includes a series ofapertures 128 defined therein for carriage of the ink to the frontsurface.

The ink supply cartridge 42 includes two guide walls 124, 125 whichseparate the various ink chambers and are tapered into an end portionabutting the surface of the printhead 102. The guide walls 124, 125 arefurther mechanically supported by block portions eg. 126 which areplaced at regular intervals along the length of the ink supply unit. Theblock portions 126 leave space at portions close to the back ofprinthead 102 for the flow of ink around the back surface thereof.

The ink supply unit is preferably formed from a multi-part plasticinjection mould and the mould pieces eg. 110, 111 (FIG. 13) snaptogether around the sponge pieces 107, 109. Subsequently, a syringe typedevice can be inserted in the ink refill holes and the ink reservoirsfilled with ink with the air flowing out of the air outlets 113-115.Subsequently, the adhesive tape portion 117 and plug 121 are attachedand the printhead tested for operation capabilities. Subsequently, theink supply cartridge 42 can be readily removed for refilling by means ofremoving the ink supply cartridge, performing a washing cycle, and thenutilising the holes for the insertion of a refill syringe filled withink for refilling the ink chamber before returning the ink supplycartridge 42 to a camera.

Turning now to FIG. 15, there is shown an example layout of the ImageCapture and Processing integrated circuit (ICP) 48.

The Image Capture and Processing integrated circuit 48 provides most ofthe electronic functionality of the camera with the exception of theprint head integrated circuit. The integrated circuit 48 is a highlyintegrated system. It combines CMOS image sensing, analog to digitalconversion, digital image processing, DRAM storage, ROM, andmiscellaneous control functions in a single integrated circuit.

The integrated circuit is estimated to be around 32 mm² using a leadingedge 0.18 micron CMOS/DRAM/APS process. The integrated circuit size andcost can scale somewhat with Moore's law, but is dominated by a CMOSactive pixel sensor array 201, so scaling is limited as the sensorpixels approach the diffraction limit.

The ICP 48 includes CMOS logic, a CMOS image sensor, DRAM, and analogcircuitry. A very small amount of flash memory or other non-volatilememory is also preferably included for protection against reverseengineering.

Alternatively, the ICP can readily be divided into two integratedcircuits: one for the CMOS imaging array, and the other for theremaining circuitry. The cost of this two integrated circuit solutionshould not be significantly different than the single integrated circuitICP, as the extra cost of packaging and bond-pad area is somewhatcancelled by the reduced total wafer area requiring the color filterfabrication steps.

The ICP preferably contains the following functions: Function 1.5megapixel image sensor Analog Signal Processors Image sensor columndecoders Image sensor row decoders Analogue to Digital Conversion (ADC)Column ADC's Auto exposure 12 Mbits of DRAM DRAM Address Generator Colorinterpolator Convolver Color ALU Halftone matrix ROM Digital halftoningPrint head interface 8 bit CPU core Program ROM Flash memory ScratchpadSRAM Parallel interface (8 bit) Motor drive transistors (5) Clock PLLJTAG test interface Test circuits Busses Bond pads

The CPU, DRAM, Image sensor, ROM, Flash memory, Parallel interface, JTAGinterface and ADC can be vendor supplied cores. The ICP is intended torun on 1.5V to minimize power consumption and allow convenient operationfrom two AA type battery cells.

FIG. 15 illustrates a layout of the ICP 48. The ICP 48 is dominated bythe imaging array 201, which consumes around 80% of the integratedcircuit area. The imaging array is a CMOS 4 transistor active pixeldesign with a resolution of 1,500×1,000. The array can be divided intothe conventional configuration, with two green pixels, one red pixel,and one blue pixel in each pixel group. There are 750×500 pixel groupsin the imaging array.

The latest advances in the field of image sensing and CMOS image sensingin particular can be found in the October, 1997 issue of IEEETransactions on Electron Devices and, in particular, pages 1689 to 1968.Further, a specific implementation similar to that disclosed in thepresent application is disclosed in Wong et. al, “CMOS Active PixelImage Sensors Fabricated Using a 1.8V, 0.25 μm CMOS Technology”, IEDM1996, page 915.

The imaging array uses a 4 transistor active pixel design of a standardconfiguration. To minimize integrated circuit area and therefore cost,the image sensor pixels should be as small as feasible with thetechnology available. With a four transistor cell, the typical pixelsize scales as 20 times the lithographic feature size. This allows aminimum pixel area of around 3.6 μm×3.6 μm. However, the photosite mustbe substantially above the diffraction limit of the lens. It is alsoadvantageous to have a square photosite, to maximize the margin over thediffraction limit in both horizontal and vertical directions. In thiscase, the photosite can be specified as 2.5 μm×2.5 μm. The photosite canbe a photogate, pinned photodiode, charge modulation device, or othersensor.

The four transistors are packed as an ‘L’ shape, rather than arectangular region, to allow both the pixel and the photosite to besquare. This reduces the transistor packing density slightly, increasingpixel size. However, the advantage in avoiding the diffraction limit isgreater than the small decrease in packing density.

The transistors also have a gate length which is longer than the minimumfor the process technology. These have been increased from a drawnlength of 0.18 micron to a drawn length of 0.36 micron. This is toimprove the transistor matching by making the variations in gate lengthrepresent a smaller proportion of the total gate length.

The extra gate length, and the ‘L’ shaped packing, mean that thetransistors use more area than the minimum for the technology. Normally,around 8 μm² would be required for rectangular packing. Preferably, 9.75μm² has been allowed for the transistors.

The total area for each pixel is 16 μm², resulting from a pixel size of4 μm×4 μm. With a resolution of 1,500×1,000, the area of the imagingarray 101 is 6,000 μm×4,000 μm, or 24 mm².

The presence of a color image sensor on the integrated circuit affectsthe process required in two major ways:

-   -   The CMOS fabrication process should be optimized to minimize        dark current Color filters are required. These can be fabricated        using dyed photosensitive polyimides, resulting in an added        process complexity of three spin coatings, three        photolithographic steps, three development steps, and three        hardbakes.

There are 15,000 analog signal processors (ASPs) 205, one for each ofthe columns of the sensor. The ASPs amplify the signal, provide a darkcurrent reference, sample and hold the signal, and suppress the fixedpattern noise (FPN).

There are 375 analog to digital converters 206, one for each fourcolumns of the sensor array. These may be delta-sigma or successiveapproximation type ADC's. A row of low column ADC's are used to reducethe conversion speed required, and the amount of analog signaldegradation incurred before the signal is converted to digital. Thisalso eliminates the hot spot (affecting local dark current) and thesubstrate coupled noise that would occur if a single high speed ADC wasused. Each ADC also has two four bit DAC's which trim the offset andscale of the ADC to further reduce FPN variations between columns. TheseDAC's are controlled by data stored in flash memory during integratedcircuit testing.

The column select logic 204 is a 1:1500 decoder which enables theappropriate digital output of the ADCs onto the output bus. As each ADCis shared by four columns, the least significant two bits of the rowselect control 4 input analog multiplexors.

A row decoder 207 is a 1:1000 decoder which enables the appropriate rowof the active pixel sensor array. This selects which of the 1000 rows ofthe imaging array is connected to analog signal processors. As the rowsare always accessed in sequence, the row select logic can be implementedas a shift register.

An auto exposure system 208 adjusts the reference voltage of the ADC 205in response to the maximum intensity sensed during the previous frameperiod. Data from the green pixels is passed through a digital peakdetector. The peak value of the image frame period before capture (thereference frame) is provided to a digital to analogue converter (DAC),which generates the global reference voltage for the column ADCs. Thepeak detector is reset at the beginning of the reference frame. Theminimum and maximum values of the three RGB color components are alsocollected for color correction.

The second largest section of the integrated circuit is consumed by aDRAM 210 used to hold the image. To store the 1,500×1,000 image from thesensor without compression, 1.5 Mbytes of DRAM 210 are required. Thisequals 12 Mbits, or slightly less than 5% of a 256 Mbit DRAM. The DRAMtechnology assumed is of the 256 Mbit generation implemented using 0.18μm CMOS.

Using a standard 8F cell, the area taken by the memory array is 3.11mm². When row decoders, column sensors, redundancy, and other factorsare taken into account, the DRAM requires around 4 mm².

This DRAM 210 can be mostly eliminated if analog storage of the imagesignal can be accurately maintained in the CMOS imaging array for thetwo seconds required to print the photo. However, digital storage of theimage is preferable as it is maintained without degradation, isinsensitive to noise, and allows copies of the photo to be printedconsiderably later.

A DRAM address generator 211 provides the write and read addresses tothe DRAM 210. Under normal operation, the write address is determined bythe order of the data read from the CMOS image sensor 201. This willtypically be a simple raster format. However, the data can be read fromthe sensor 201 in any order, if matching write addresses to the DRAM aregenerated. The read order from the DRAM 210 will normally simply matchthe requirements of a color interpolator and the print head. As thecyan, magenta, and yellow rows of the print head are necessarily offsetby a few pixels to allow space for nozzle actuators, the colors are notread from the DRAM simultaneously. However, there is plenty of time toread all of the data from the DRAM many times during the printingprocess. This capability is used to eliminate the need for FIFOs in theprint head interface, thereby saving integrated circuit area. All threeRGB image components can be read from the DRAM each time color data isrequired. This allows a color space converter to provide a moresophisticated conversion than a simple linear RGB to CMY conversion.

Also, to allow two dimensional filtering of the image data withoutrequiring line buffers, data is re-read from the DRAM array.

The address generator may also implement image effects in certain modelsof camera. For example, passport photos are generated by a manipulationof the read addresses to the DRAM. Also, image framing effects (wherethe central image is reduced), image warps, and kaleidoscopic effectscan all be generated by manipulating the read addresses of the DRAM.

While the address generator 211 may be implemented with substantialcomplexity if effects are built into the standard integrated circuit,the integrated circuit area required for the address generator is small,as it consists only of address counters and a moderate amount of randomlogic.

A color interpolator 214 converts the interleaved pattern of red, 2×green, and blue pixels into RGB pixels. It consists of three 8 bitadders and associated registers. The divisions are by either 2 (forgreen) or 4 (for red and blue) so they can be implemented as fixedshifts in the output connections of the adders.

A convolver 215 is provided as a sharpening filter which applies a smallconvolution kernel (5×5) to the red, green, and blue planes of theimage. The convolution kernel for the green plane is different from thatof the red and blue planes, as green has twice as many samples. Thesharpening filter has five functions:

-   -   To improve the color interpolation from the linear interpolation        provided by the color interpolator, to a close approximation of        a sinc interpolation.    -   To compensate for the image ‘softening’ which occurs during        digitization.    -   To adjust the image sharpness to match average consumer        preferences, which are typically for the image to be slightly        sharper than reality. As the single use camera is intended as a        consumer product, and not a professional photographic products,        the processing can match the most popular settings, rather than        the most accurate.    -   To suppress the sharpening of high frequency (individual pixel)        noise. The function is similar to the ‘unsharp mask’ process.    -   To antialias Image Warping.

These functions are all combined into a single convolution matrix. Asthe pixel rate is low (less than 1 Mpixel per second) the total numberof multiplies required for the three color channels is 56 millionmultiplies per second. This can be provided by a single multiplier.Fifty bytes of coefficient ROM are also required.

A color ALU 113 combines the functions of color compensation and colorspace conversion into the one matrix multiplication, which is applied toevery pixel of the frame. As with sharpening, the color correctionshould match the most popular settings, rather than the most accurate.

A color compensation circuit of the color ALU provides compensation forthe lighting of the photo. The vast majority of photographs aresubstantially improved by a simple color compensation, whichindependently normalizes the contrast and brightness of the three colorcomponents.

A color look-up table (CLUT) 212 is provided for each color component.These are three separate 256×8 SRAMs, requiring a total of 6,144 bits.The CLUTs are used as part of the color correction process. They arealso used for color special effects, such as stochastically selected“wild color” effects.

A color space conversion system of the color ALU converts from the RGBcolor space of the image sensor to the CMY color space of the printer.The simplest conversion is a 1's complement of the RGB data. However,this simple conversion assumes perfect linearity of both color spaces,and perfect dye spectra for both the color filters of the image sensor,and the ink dyes. At the other extreme is a tri-linear interpolation ofa sampled three dimensional arbitrary transform table. This caneffectively match any non-linearity or differences in either colorspace. Such a system is usually necessary to obtain good color spaceconversion when the print engine is a color electrophotographic.

However, since the non-linearity of a halftoned ink jet output is verysmall, a simpler system can be used. A simple matrix multiply canprovide excellent results. This requires nine multiplies and sixadditions per contone pixel. However, since the contone pixel rate islow (less than 1 Mpixel/sec) these operations can share a singlemultiplier and adder. The multiplier and adder are used in a color ALUwhich is shared with the color compensation function.

Digital halftoning can be performed as a dispersed dot ordered ditherusing a stochastic optimized dither cell. A halftone matrix ROM 216 isprovided for storing dither cell coefficients. A dither cell size of32×32 is adequate to ensure that the cell repeat cycle is not visible.The three colors—cyan, magenta, and yellow—are all dithered using thesame cell, to ensure maximum co-positioning of the ink dots. Thisminimizes ‘muddying’ of the mid-tones which results from bleed of dyesfrom one dot to adjacent dots while still wet. The total ROM sizerequired is 1 KByte, as the one ROM is shared by the halftoning unitsfor each of the three colors.

The digital halftoning used is dispersed dot ordered dither withstochastic optimized dither matrix. While dithering does not produce animage quite as ‘sharp’ as error diffusion, it does produce a moreaccurate image with fewer artifacts. The image sharpening produced byerror diffusion is artificial, and less controllable and accurate than‘unsharp mask’ filtering performed in the contone domain. The high printresolution (1,600 dpi×1,600 dpi) results in excellent quality when usinga well formed stochastic dither matrix.

Digital halftoning is performed by a digital halftoning unit 217 using asimple comparison between the contone information from the DRAM 210 andthe contents of the dither matrix 216. During the halftone process, theresolution of the image is changed from the 250 dpi of the capturedcontone image to the 1,600 dpi of the printed image. Each contone pixelis converted to an average of 40.96 halftone dots.

The ICP incorporates a 16 bit microcontroller CPU core 219 to run themiscellaneous camera functions, such as reading the buttons, controllingthe motor and solenoids, setting up the hardware, and authenticating therefill station. The processing power required by the CPU is very modest,and a wide variety of processor cores can be used. As the entire CPUprogram is run from a small ROM 220, program compatibility betweencamera versions is not important, as no external programs are run. A 2Mbit (256 Kbyte) program and data ROM 220 is included on integratedcircuit. Most of this ROM space is allocated to data for outlinegraphics and fonts for specialty cameras. The program requirements areminor. The single most complex task is the encrypted authentication ofthe refill station. The ROM requires a single transistor per bit.

A Flash memory 221 may be used to store a 128 bit authentication code.This provides higher security than storage of the authentication code inROM, as reverse engineering can be made essentially impossible. TheFlash memory is completely covered by third level metal, making the dataimpossible to extract using scanning probe microscopes or electronbeams. The authentication code is stored in the integrated circuit whenmanufactured. At least two other Flash bits are required for theauthentication process: a bit which locks out reprogramming of theauthentication code, and a bit which indicates that the camera has beenrefilled by an authenticated refill station. The flash memory can alsobe used to store FPN correction data for the imaging array.Additionally, a phase locked loop rescaling parameter is stored forscaling the clocking cycle to an appropriate correct time. The clockfrequency does not require crystal accuracy since no date functions areprovided. To eliminate the cost of a crystal, an on integrated circuitoscillator with a phase locked loop 224 is used. As the frequency of anon-integrated circuit oscillator is highly variable from integratedcircuit to integrated circuit, the frequency ratio of the oscillator tothe PLL is digitally trimmed during initial testing. The value is storedin Flash memory 221. This allows the clock PLL to control the ink-jetheater pulse width with sufficient accuracy.

A scratchpad SRAM is a small static RAM 222 with a 6T cell. Thescratchpad provided temporary memory for the 16 bit CPU. 1024 bytes isadequate.

A print head interface 223 formats the data correctly for the printhead. The print head interface also provides all of the timing signalsrequired by the print head. These timing signals may vary depending upontemperature, the number of dots printed simultaneously, the print mediumin the print roll, and the dye density of the ink in the print roll.

The following is a table of external connections to the print headinterface: Connection Function Pins DataBits[0-7] Independent serialdata to the eight 8 segments of the print head BitClock Main data clockfor the print head 1 ColorEnable[0-2] Independent enable signals for the3 CMY actuators, allowing different pulse times for each color.BankEnable[0-1] Allows either simultaneous or 2 interleaved actuation oftwo banks of nozzles. This allows two different print speed/powerconsumption tradeoffs NozzleSelect[0-4] Selects one of 32 banks ofnozzles 5 for simultaneous actuation ParallelXferClock Loads theparallel transfer register 1 with the data from the shift registersTotal 20

The print head utilized is composed of eight identical segments, each1.25 cm long. There is no connection between the segments on the printhead integrated circuit. Any connections required are made in theexternal TAB bonding film, which is double sided. The division intoeight identical segments is to simplify lithography using wafersteppers. The segment width of 1.25 cm fits easily into a stepper field.As the print head integrated circuit is long and narrow (10 cm×0.3 mm),the stepper field contains a single segment of 32 print head integratedcircuits. The stepper field is therefore 1.25 cm×1.6 cm. An average offour complete print heads are patterned in each wafer step.

A single BitClock output line connects to all 8 segments on the printhead. The 8 DataBits lines lead one to each segment, and are clockedinto the 8 segments on the print head simultaneously (on a BitClockpulse). For example, dot 0 is transferred to segment₀, dot 750 istransferred to segment₁, dot 1500 to segment₂ etc simultaneously.

The ParallelXferClock is connected to each of the 8 segments on theprint head, so that on a single pulse, all segments transfer their bitsat the same time.

The NozzleSelect, BankEnable and ColorEnable lines are connected to eachof the 8 segments, allowing the print head interface to independentlycontrol the duration of the cyan, magenta, and yellow nozzle energizingpulses. Registers in the Print Head Interface allow the accuratespecification of the pulse duration between 0 and 6 ms, with a typicalduration of 2 ms to 3 ms.

A parallel interface 125 connects the ICP to individual staticelectrical signals. The CPU is able to control each of these connectionsas memory mapped I/O via a low speed bus.

The following is a table of connections to the parallel interface:Connection Direction Pins Paper transport stepper motor Output 4 Cappingsolenoid Output 1 Copy LED Output 1 Photo button Input 1 Copy buttonInput 1 Total 8

Seven high current drive transistors eg. 227 are required. Four are forthe four phases of the main stepper motor, two are for the guillotinemotor, and the remaining transistor is to drive the capping solenoid.These transistors are allocated 20,000 square microns (600,000 F) each.As the transistors are driving highly inductive loads, they must eitherbe turned off slowly, or be provided with a high level of back EMFprotection. If adequate back EMF protection cannot be provided using theintegrated circuit process chosen, then external discrete transistorsshould be used. The transistors are never driven at the same time as theimage sensor is used. This is to avoid voltage fluctuations and hotspots affecting the image quality. Further, the transistors are locatedas far away from the sensor as possible.

A standard JTAG (Joint Test Action Group) interface 228 is included inthe ICP for testing purposes and for interrogation by the refillstation. Due to the complexity of the integrated circuit, a variety oftesting techniques are required, including BIST (Built In Self Test) andfunctional block isolation. An overhead of 10% in integrated circuitarea is assumed for integrated circuit testing circuitry for the randomlogic portions. The overhead for the large arrays the image sensor andthe DRAM is smaller.

The JTAG interface is also used for authentication of the refillstation. This is included to ensure that the cameras are only refilledwith quality paper and ink at a properly constructed refill station,thus preventing inferior quality refills from occurring. The camera mustauthenticate the refill station, rather than vice versa. The secureprotocol is communicated to the refill station during the automated testprocedure. Contact is made to four gold plated spots on the ICP/printhead TAB by the refill station as the new ink is injected into the printhead.

FIG. 16 illustrates a rear view of the next step in the constructionprocess whilst FIG. 17 illustrates a front view.

Turning now to FIG. 16, the assembly of the camera system proceeds viafirst assembling the ink supply mechanism 40. The flex PCB isinterconnected with batteries 84 only one of which is shown, which areinserted in the middle portion of a print roll 85 which is wrappedaround a plastic former 86. An end cap 89 is provided at the other endof the print roll 85 so as to fasten the print roll and batteries firmlyto the ink supply mechanism.

The solenoid coil is interconnected (not shown) to interconnects 97, 98(FIG. 8) which include leaf spring ends for interconnection withelectrical contacts on the Flex PCB so as to provide for electricalcontrol of the solenoid.

Turning now to FIGS. 17-19 the next step in the construction process isthe insertion of the relevant gear trains into the side of the camerachassis. FIG. 17 illustrates a front view, FIG. 18 illustrates a rearview and FIG. 19 also illustrates a rear view. The first gear traincomprising gear wheels 22, 23 is utilised for driving the guillotineblade with the gear wheel 23 engaging the gear wheel 65 of FIG. 8. Thesecond gear train comprising gear wheels 24, 25 and 26 engage one end ofthe print roller 61 of FIG. 8. As best indicated in FIG. 18, the gearwheels mate with corresponding pins on the surface of the chassis withthe gear wheel 26 being snap fitted into corresponding mating hole 27.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 20, the assembled platen unit 60 is theninserted between the print roll 85 and aluminium cutting blade 43.

Turning now to FIG. 21, by way of illumination, there is illustrated theelectrically interactive components of the camera system. As notedpreviously, the components are based around a Flex PCB board and includea TAB film 58 which interconnects the printhead 102 with the imagesensor and processing integrated circuit 48. Power is supplied by two AAtype batteries 83, 84 and a paper drive stepper motor 16 is provided inaddition to a rotary guillotine motor 17.

An optical element 31 is provided for snapping into a top portion of thechassis 12. The optical element 31 includes portions defining an opticalview finder 32, 33 which are slotted into mating portions 35, 36 in viewfinder channel 37. Also provided in the optical element 31 is a lensingsystem 38 for magnification of the prints left number in addition to anoptical pipe element 39 for piping light from the LED 5 for externaldisplay.

Turning next to FIG. 22, the assembled unit 90 is then inserted into afront outer case 91 which includes button 4 for activation of printouts.

Turning now to FIG. 23, next, the unit 90 is provided with a snap-onback cover 93 which includes a slot 6 and copy print button 7. A wrapperlabel containing instructions and advertising (not shown) is thenwrapped around the outer surface of the camera system and pinch clampedto the cover by means of clamp strip 96 which can comprise a flexibleplastic or rubber strip.

Subsequently, the preferred embodiment is ready for use as a one timeuse camera system that provides for instant output images on demand. Itwill be evident that the preferred embodiment further provides for arefillable camera system. A used camera can be collected and its outerplastic cases removed and recycled. A new paper roll and batteries canbe added and the ink cartridge refilled. A series of automatic testroutines can then be carried out to ensure that the printer is properlyoperational. Further, in order to ensure only authorised refills areconducted so as to enhance quality, routines in the on-integratedcircuit program ROM can be executed such that the camera authenticatesthe refilling station using a secure protocol. Upon authentication, thecamera can reset an internal paper count and an external case can befitted on the camera system with a new outer label. Subsequent packingand shipping can then take place.

It will be further readily evident to those skilled in the art that theprogram ROM can be modified so as to allow for a variety of digitalprocessing routines. In addition to the digitally enhanced photographsoptimised for mainstream consumer preferences, various other models canreadily be provided through mere re-programming of the program ROM. Forexample, a sepia classic old fashion style output can be providedthrough a remapping of the colour mapping function. A furtheralternative is to provide for black and white outputs again through asuitable colour remapping algorithm. Minimum colour can also be providedto add a touch of colour to black and white prints to produce the effectthat was traditionally used to colourize black and white photos.Further, passport photo output can be provided through suitable addressremappings within the address generators. Further, edge filters can beutilised as is known in the field of image processing to producesketched art styles. Further, classic wedding borders and designs can beplaced around an output image in addition to the provision of relevantclip arts. For example, a wedding style camera might be provided.Further, a panoramic mode can be provided so as to output the well knownpanoramic format of images. Further, a postcard style output can beprovided through the printing of postcards including postage on the backof a print roll surface. Further, cliparts can be provided for specialevents such as Halloween, Christmas etc. Further, kaleidoscopic effectscan be provided through address remappings and wild colour effects canbe provided through remapping of the colour lookup table. Many otherforms of special event cameras can be provided for example, camerasdedicated to the Olympics, movie tie-ins, advertising and other specialevents.

The operational mode of the camera can be programmed so that upon thedepressing of the take photo a first image is sampled by the sensorarray to determine irrelevant parameters. Next a second image is againcaptured which is utilised for the output. The captured image is thenmanipulated in accordance with any special requirements before beinginitially output on the paper roll. The LED light is then activated fora predetermined time during which the DRAM is refreshed so as to retainthe image. If the print copy button is depressed during thispredetermined time interval, a further copy of the photo is output.After the predetermined time interval where no use of the camera hasoccurred, the onboard CPU shuts down all power to the camera systemuntil such time as the take button is again activated. In this way,substantial power savings can be realized.

Ink Jet Technologies

The embodiments of the invention use an ink jet printer type device. Ofcourse many different devices could be used. However presently popularink jet printing technologies are unlikely to be suitable.

The most significant problem with thermal inkjet is power consumption.This is approximately 100 times that required for high speed, and stemsfrom the energy-inefficient means of drop ejection. This involves therapid boiling of water to produce a vapor bubble which expels the ink.Water has a very high heat capacity, and must be superheated in thermalinkjet applications. This leads to an efficiency of around 0.02%, fromelectricity input to drop momentum (and increased surface area) out.

The most significant problem with piezoelectric inkjet is size and cost.Piezoelectric crystals have a very small deflection at reasonable drivevoltages, and therefore require a large area for each nozzle. Also, eachpiezoelectric actuator must be connected to its drive circuit on aseparate substrate. This is not a significant problem at the currentlimit of around 300 nozzles per print head, but is a major impediment tothe fabrication of pagewide print heads with 19,200 nozzles.

Ideally, the inkjet technologies used meet the stringent requirements ofin-camera digital color printing and other high quality, high speed, lowcost printing applications. To meet the requirements of digitalphotography, new inkjet technologies have been created. The targetfeatures include:

-   -   low power (less than 10 Watts)    -   high resolution capability (1,600 dpi or more)    -   photographic quality output    -   low manufacturing cost    -   small size (pagewidth times minimum cross section)    -   high speed (<2 seconds per page).

All of these features can be met or exceeded by the inkjet systemsdescribed below with differing levels of difficulty. 45 different inkjettechnologies have been developed by the Assignee to give a wide range ofchoices for high volume manufacture. These technologies form part ofseparate applications assigned to the present Assignee as set out in thetable below.

The inkjet designs shown here are suitable for a wide range of digitalprinting systems, from battery powered one-time use digital cameras,through to desktop and network printers, and through to commercialprinting systems.

For ease of manufacture using standard process equipment, the print headis designed to be a monolithic 0.5 micron CMOS integrated circuit withMEMS post processing. For color photographic applications, the printhead is 100 mm long, with a width which depends upon the inkjet type.The smallest print head designed is IJ38, which is 0.35 mm wide, givinga integrated circuit area of 35 square mm. The print heads each contain19,200 nozzles plus data and control circuitry.

Ink is supplied to the back of the print head by injection moldedplastic ink channels. The molding requires 50 micron features, which canbe created using a lithographically micromachined insert in a standardinjection molding tool. Ink flows through holes etched through the waferto the nozzle chambers fabricated on the front surface of the wafer. Theprint head is connected to the camera circuitry by tape automatedbonding.

Cross-Referenced Applications

The following table is a guide to cross-referenced patent applicationsfiled concurrently herewith and discussed hereinafter with the referencebeing utilized in subsequent tables when referring to a particular case:Docket No. Reference Title IJ01US IJ01 Radiant Plunger Ink Jet PrinterIJ02US IJ02 Electrostatic Ink Jet Printer IJ03US IJ03 PlanarThermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet IJ04US IJ04 Stacked ElectrostaticInk Jet Printer IJ05US IJ05 Reverse Spring Lever Ink Jet Printer IJ06USIJ06 Paddle Type Ink Jet Printer IJ07US IJ07 Permanent MagnetElectromagnetic Ink Jet Printer IJ08US IJ08 Planar Swing GrillElectromagnetic Ink Jet Printer IJ09US IJ09 Pump Action Refill Ink JetPrinter IJ10US IJ10 Pulsed Magnetic Field Ink Jet Printer IJ11US IJ11Two Plate Reverse Firing Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer IJ12US IJ12Linear Stepper Actuator Ink Jet Printer IJ13US IJ13 Gear Driven ShutterInk Jet Printer IJ14US IJ14 Tapered Magnetic Pole Electromagnetic InkJet Printer IJ15US IJ15 Linear Spring Electromagnetic Grill Ink JetPrinter IJ16US IJ16 Lorenz Diaphragm Electromagnetic Ink Jet PrinterIJ17US IJ17 PTFE Surface Shooting Shuttered Oscillating Pressure Ink JetPrinter IJ18US IJ18 Buckle Grip Oscillating Pressure Ink Jet PrinterIJ19US IJ19 Shutter Based Ink Jet Printer IJ20US IJ20 Curling CalyxThermoelastic Ink Jet Printer IJ21US IJ21 Thermal Actuated Ink JetPrinter IJ22US IJ22 Iris Motion Ink Jet Printer IJ23US IJ23 DirectFiring Thermal Bend Actuator Ink Jet Printer IJ24US IJ24 Conductive PTFEBen Activator Vented Ink Jet Printer IJ25US IJ25 Magnetostrictive InkJet Printer IJ26US IJ26 Shape Memory Alloy Ink Jet Printer IJ27US IJ27Buckle Plate Ink Jet Printer IJ28US IJ28 Thermal Elastic Rotary ImpellerInk Jet Printer IJ29US IJ29 Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet PrinterIJ30US IJ30 Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Using PTFE and Corrugated CopperInk Jet Printer IJ31US IJ31 Bend Actuator Direct Ink Supply Ink JetPrinter IJ32US IJ32 A High Young's Modulus Thermoelastic Ink Jet PrinterIJ33US IJ33 Thermally actuated slotted chamber wall ink jet printerIJ34US IJ34 Ink Jet Printer having a thermal actuator comprising anexternal coiled spring IJ35US IJ35 Trough Container Ink Jet PrinterIJ36US IJ36 Dual Chamber Single Vertical Actuator Ink Jet IJ37US IJ37Dual Nozzle Single Horizontal Fulcrum Actuator Ink Jet IJ38US IJ38 DualNozzle Single Horizontal Actuator Ink Jet IJ39US IJ39 A single bendactuator cupped paddle ink jet printing device IJ40US IJ40 A thermallyactuated ink jet printer having a series of thermal actuator unitsIJ41US IJ41 A thermally actuated ink jet printer including a taperedheater element IJ42US IJ42 Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic Ink JetIJ43US IJ43 Inverted Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic Ink Jet IJ44USIJ44 Surface bend actuator vented ink supply ink jet printer IJ45US IJ45Coil Acutuated Magnetic Plate Ink Jet PrinterTables of Drop-on-Demand Inkjets

Eleven important characteristics of the fundamental operation ofindividual ink-jet nozzles have been identified. These characteristicsare largely orthogonal, and so can be elucidated as an elevendimensional matrix. Most of the eleven axes of this matrix includeentries developed by the present assignee.

The following tables form the axes of an eleven dimensional table ofinkjet types.

-   Actuator mechanism (18 types)-   Basic operation mode (7 types)-   Auxiliary mechanism (8 types)-   Actuator amplification or modification method (17 types)-   Actuator motion (19 types)-   Nozzle refill method (4 types)-   Method of restricting back-flow through inlet (10 types)-   Nozzle clearing method (9 types)-   Nozzle plate construction (9 types)-   Drop ejection direction (5 types)-   Ink type (7 types)

The complete eleven dimensional table represented by these axes contains36.9 billion possible configurations of inkjet nozzle. While not all ofthe possible combinations result in a viable inkjet technology, manymillion configurations are viable. It is clearly impractical toelucidate all of the possible configurations. Instead, certain inkjettypes have been investigated in detail. These are designated IJ01 toIJ45 above.

Other inkjet configurations can readily be derived from these 45examples by substituting alternative configurations along one or more ofthe 11 axes. Most of the IJ01 to IJ45 examples can be made into inkjetprint heads with characteristics superior to any currently availableinkjet technology.

Where there are prior art examples known to the inventor, one or more ofthese examples are listed in the examples column of the tables below.The IJ01 to IJ45 series are also listed in the examples column. In somecases, a printer may be listed more than once in a table, where itshares characteristics with more than one entry.

Suitable applications include: Home printers, Office network printers,Short run digital printers, Commercial print systems, Fabric printers,Pocket printers, Internet WWW printers, Video printers, Medical imaging,Wide format printers, Notebook PC printers, Fax machines, Industrialprinting systems, Photocopiers, Photographic minilabs etc.

The information associated with the aforementioned 11 dimensional matrixare set out in the following tables.

Actuator Mechanism (Applied Only to Selected Ink Drops) ActuatorMechanism Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Thermal Anelectrothermal heater Large force generated High power Canon Bubblejet1979 bubble heats the ink to above Simple construction Ink carrier Endoet al GB patent boiling point, No moving parts limited to water2,007,162 transferring significant Fast operation Low efficiency Xeroxheater-in-pit heat to the aqueous Small integrated High temperatures1990 Hawkins et al ink. A bubble nucleates circuit area required U.S.Pat. No. 4,899,181 and quickly forms, required for actuator Highmechanical Hewlett-Packard TIJ expelling the ink. stress 1982 Vaught etal The efficiency of the Unusual U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,728 process is low,with materials required typically less than 0.05% Large drive of theelectrical energy transistors being transformed into Cavitation causeskinetic energy of the drop. actuator failure Kogation reduces bubbleformation Large print heads are difficult to fabricate Piezo- Apiezoelectric crystal Low power Very large area Kyser et al electricsuch as lead consumption required for actuator U.S. Pat. No. 3,946,398lanthanum zirconate Many ink types Difficult to Zoltan U.S. Pat. (PZT)is electrically can be used integrate with No. 3,683,212 activated, andeither Fast operation electronics 1973 Stemme expands, shears, or Highefficiency High voltage U.S. Pat. No. 3,747,120 bends to apply drivetransistors Epson Stylus Tektronix pressure to the ink, required IJ04ejecting drops. Full pagewidth print heads impractical due to actuatorsize Requires electrical poling in high field strengths duringmanufacture Electro- An electric field is Low power Low maximum SeikoEpson, Usui et strictive used to activate consumption strain (approx.all JP 253401/96 electrostriction in Many ink types 0.01%) IJ04 relaxormaterials such can be used Large area as lead lanthanum Low thermalrequired for actuator zirconate titanate expansion due to low strain(PLZT) or lead Electric field Response speed magnesium niobate strengthrequired is marginal (˜10 (PMN). (approx. 3.5 μs) V/μm) High voltage canbe generated drive transistors without difficulty required Does notrequire Full pagewidth electrical poling print heads impractical due toactuator size Ferro- An electric field is Low power Difficult to IJ04electric used to induce a phase consumption integrate with transitionbetween the Many ink types electronics antiferroelectric (AFE) can beused Unusual and ferroelectric (FE) Fast operation materials such asphase. Perovskite (<1 μs) PLZSnT are materials such as tin Relativelyhigh required modified lead longitudinal strain Actuators requirelanthanum zirconate High efficiency a large area titanate (PLZSnT)Electric field exhibit large strains of strength of around 3 up to 1%associated V/μm can be with the AFE to FE readily provided phasetransition. Electro- Conductive plates are Low power Difficult to IJ02,IJ04 static plates separated by a consumption operate electrostaticcompressible or fluid Many ink types devices in an dielectric (usuallyair). can be used aqueous Upon application of a Fast operationenvironment voltage, the plates The electrostatic attract each other andactuator will displace ink, causing normally need to be drop ejection.The separated from the conductive plates may ink be in a comb or Verylarge area honeycomb structure, required to achieve or stacked toincrease high forces the surface area and High voltage therefore theforce. drive transistors may be required Full pagewidth print heads arenot competitive due to actuator size Electro- A strong electric fieldLow current High voltage 1989 Saito et al, static pull is applied to theink, consumption required U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,068 on ink whereupon Lowtemperature May be damaged 1989 Miura et al, electrostatic attraction bysparks due to air U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,954 accelerates the ink breakdownTone-jet towards the print Required field medium. strength increases asthe drop size decreases High voltage drive transistors requiredElectrostatic field attracts dust Permanent An electromagnet Low powerComplex IJ07, IJ10 magnet directly attracts a consumption fabricationelectro- permanent magnet, Many ink types Permanent magnetic displacingink and can be used magnetic material causing drop ejection. Fastoperation such as Neodymium Rare earth magnets High efficiency IronBoron (NdFeB) with a field strength Easy extension required. around 1Tesla can be from single nozzles High local used. Examples are: topagewidth print currents required Samarium Cobalt heads Copper (SaCo)and magnetic metalization should materials in the be used for longneodymium iron boron electromigration family (NdFeB, lifetime and lowNdDyFeBNb, resistivity NdDyFeB, etc) Pigmented inks are usuallyinfeasible Operating temperature limited to the Curie temperature(around 540 K) Soft A solenoid induced a Low power Complex IJ01, IJ05,IJ08, IJ10 magnetic magnetic field in a soft consumption fabricationIJ12, IJ14, IJ15, IJ17 core electro- magnetic core or yoke Many inktypes Materials not magnetic fabricated from a can be used usuallypresent in a ferrous material such Fast operation CMOS fab such as aselectroplated iron High efficiency NiFe, CoNiFe, or alloys such asCoNiFe Easy extension CoFe are required [1], CoFe, or NiFe from singlenozzles High local alloys. Typically, the to pagewidth print currentsrequired soft magnetic material heads Copper is in two parts, whichmetalization should are normally held be used for long apart by aspring. electromigration When the solenoid is lifetime and low actuated,the two parts resistivity attract, displacing the Electroplating is ink.required High saturation flux density is required (2.0-2.1 T isachievable with CoNiFe [1]) Magnetic The Lorenz force Low power Forceacts as a IJ06, IJ11, IJ13, IJ16 Lorenz acting on a current consumptiontwisting motion force carrying wire in a Many ink types Typically, onlya magnetic field is can be used quarter of the utilized. Fast operationsolenoid length This allows the High efficiency provides force in amagnetic field to be Easy extension useful direction supplied externallyto from single nozzles High local the print head, for to pagewidth printcurrents required example with rare heads Copper earth permanentmetalization should magnets. be used for long Only the currentelectromigration carrying wire need be lifetime and low fabricated onthe print- resistivity head, simplifying Pigmented inks materials areusually requirements. infeasible Magneto- The actuator uses the Many inktypes Force acts as a Fischenbeck, striction giant magnetostrictive canbe used twisting motion U.S. Pat. No. 4,032,929 effect of materials Fastoperation Unusual IJ25 such as Terfenol-D (an Easy extension materialssuch as alloy of terbium, from single nozzles Terfenol-D are dysprosiumand iron to pagewidth print required developed at the Naval heads Highlocal Ordnance Laboratory, High force is currents required henceTer-Fe-NOL). available Copper For best efficiency, the metalizationshould actuator should be pre- be used for long stressed to approx. 8electromigration MPa. lifetime and low resistivity Pre-stressing may berequired Surface Ink under positive Low power Requires Silverbrook, EPtension pressure is held in a consumption supplementary force 0771 658A2 and reduction nozzle by surface Simple to effect drop related patenttension. The surface construction separation applications tension of theink is No unusual Requires special reduced below the materials requiredin ink surfactants bubble threshold, fabrication Speed may be causingthe ink to High efficiency limited by surfactant egress from the Easyextension properties nozzle. from single nozzles to pagewidth printheads Viscosity The ink viscosity is Simple Requires Silverbrook, EPreduction locally reduced to construction supplementary force 0771 658A2 and select which drops are No unusual to effect drop related patentto be ejected. A materials required in separation applications viscosityreduction can fabrication Requires special be achieved Easy extensionink viscosity electrothermally with from single nozzles properties mostinks, but special to pagewidth print High speed is inks can beengineered heads difficult to achieve for a 100:1 viscosity Requiresreduction. oscillating ink pressure A high temperature difference(typically 80 degrees) is required Acoustic An acoustic wave is Canoperate Complex drive 1993 Hadimioglu generated and without a nozzlecircuitry et al, EUP 550,192 focussed upon the plate Complex 1993 Elrodet al, drop ejection region. fabrication EUP 572,220 Low efficiency Poorcontrol of drop position Poor control of drop volume Thermo- An actuatorwhich Low power Efficient aqueous IJ03, IJ09, IJ17, IJ18 elastic bendrelies upon differential consumption operation requires a IJ19, IJ20,IJ21, IJ22 actuator thermal expansion Many ink types thermal insulatoron IJ23, IJ24, IJ27, IJ28 upon Joule heating is can be used the hot sideIJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 used. Simple planar Corrosion IJ33, IJ34, IJ35,IJ36 fabrication prevention can be IJ37, IJ38, IJ39, IJ40 Smallintegrated difficult IJ41 circuit area Pigmented inks required for eachmay be infeasible, actuator as pigment particles Fast operation may jamthe bend High efficiency actuator CMOS compatible voltages and currentsStandard MEMS processes can be used Easy extension from single nozzlesto pagewidth print heads High CTE A material with a very High force canRequires special IJ09, IJ17, IJ18, IJ20 thermo- high coefficient of begenerated material (e.g. PTFE) IJ21, IJ22, IJ23, IJ24 elastic thermalexpansion PTFE is a Requires a PTFE IJ27, IJ28, IJ29, IJ30 actuator(CTE) such as candidate for low deposition process, IJ31, IJ42, IJ43,IJ44 polytetrafluoroethylene dielectric constant which is not yet (PTFE)is used. As insulation in ULSI standard in ULSI high CTE materials Verylow power fabs are usually non- consumption PTFE deposition conductive,a heater Many ink types cannot be followed fabricated from a can be usedwith high conductive material is Simple planar temperature (aboveincorporated. A 50 μm fabrication 350° C.) processing long PTFE bendSmall integrated Pigmented inks actuator with circuit area may beinfeasible, polysilicon heater and required for each as pigmentparticles 15 mW power input actuator may jam the bend can provide 180Fast operation actuator μN force High efficiency and 10 μm CMOSdeflection. Actuator compatible voltages motions include: and currentsBend Easy extension Push from single nozzles Buckle to pagewidth printRotate heads Conductive A polymer with a high High force can Requiresspecial IJ24 polymer coefficient of thermal be generated materialsthermo- expansion (such as Very low power development (High elasticPTFE) is doped with consumption CTE conductive actuator conductingsubstances Many ink types polymer) to increase its can be used Requiresa PTFE conductivity to about 3 Simple planar deposition process, ordersof magnitude fabrication which is not yet below that of copper. Smallintegrated standard in ULSI The conducting circuit area fabs polymerexpands required for each PTFE deposition when resistively actuatorcannot be followed heated. Fast operation with high Examples of Highefficiency temperature (above conducting dopants CMOS 350° C.)processing include: compatible voltages Evaporation and Carbon nanotubesand currents CVD deposition Metal fibers Easy extension techniquescannot Conductive polymers from single nozzles be used such as doped topagewidth print Pigmented inks polythiophene heads may be infeasible,Carbon granules as pigment particles may jam the bend actuator Shape Ashape memory alloy High force is Fatigue limits IJ26 memory such as TiNi(also available (stresses maximum number alloy known as Nitinol - ofhundreds of MPa) of cycles Nickel Titanium alloy Large strain is Lowstrain (1%) developed at the Naval available (more than is required toextend Ordnance Laboratory) 3%) fatigue resistance is thermally switchedHigh corrosion Cycle rate between its weak resistance limited by heatmartensitic state and Simple removal its high stiffness constructionRequires unusual austenic state. The Easy extension materials (TiNi)shape of the actuator from single nozzles The latent heat of in itsmartensitic state to pagewidth print transformation must is deformedrelative to heads be provided the austenic shape. Low voltage Highcurrent The shape change operation operation causes ejection of aRequires pre- drop. stressing to distort the martensitic state LinearLinear magnetic Linear Magnetic Requires unusual IJ12 Magnetic actuatorsinclude the actuators can be semiconductor Actuator Linear Inductionconstructed with materials such as Actuator (LIA), Linear high thrust,long soft magnetic alloys Permanent Magnet travel, and high (e.g. CoNiFe[1]) Synchronous Actuator efficiency using Some varieties (LPMSA),Linear planar also require Reluctance semiconductor permanent magneticSynchronous Actuator fabrication materials such as (LRSA), Lineartechniques Neodymium iron Switched Reluctance Long actuator boron(NdFeB) Actuator (LSRA), and travel is available Requires the LinearStepper Medium force is complex multi- Actuator (LSA). available phasedrive circuitry Low voltage High current operation operation

Basic Operation Mode Operational mode Description AdvantagesDisadvantages Examples Actuator This is the simplest Simple operationDrop repetition Thermal inkjet directly mode of operation: the Noexternal rate is usually Piezoelectric inkjet pushes ink actuatordirectly fields required limited to less than 10 IJ01, IJ02, IJ03, IJ04supplies sufficient Satellite drops KHz. However, this IJ05, IJ06, IJ07,IJ09 kinetic energy to expel can be avoided if is not fundamental IJ11,IJ12, IJ14, IJ16 the drop. The drop drop velocity is less to the method,but is IJ20, IJ22, IJ23, IJ24 must have a sufficient than 4 m/s relatedto the refill IJ25, IJ26, IJ27, IJ28 velocity to overcome Can beefficient, method normally IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 the surface tension.depending upon the used IJ33, IJ34, IJ35, IJ36 actuator used All of thedrop IJ37, IJ38, IJ39, IJ40 kinetic energy must IJ41, IJ42, IJ43, IJ44be provided by the actuator Satellite drops usually form if dropvelocity is greater than 4.5 m/s Proximity The drops to be Very simpleprint Requires close Silverbrook, EP printed are selected by headfabrication can proximity between 0771 658 A2 and some manner (e.g. beused the print head and related patent thermally induced The drop theprint media or applications surface tension selection means transferroller reduction of does not need to May require two pressurized ink).provide the energy print heads printing Selected drops are required toseparate alternate rows of the separated from the ink the drop from theimage in the nozzle by nozzle Monolithic color contact with the printprint heads are medium or a transfer difficult roller. Electro- Thedrops to be Very simple print Requires very Silverbrook, EP static pullprinted are selected by head fabrication can high electrostatic 0771 658A2 and on ink some manner (e.g. be used field related patent thermallyinduced The drop Electrostatic field applications surface tensionselection means for small nozzle Tone-Jet reduction of does not need tosizes is above air pressurized ink). provide the energy breakdownSelected drops are required to separate Electrostatic field separatedfrom the ink the drop from the may attract dust in the nozzle by anozzle strong electric field. Magnetic The drops to be Very simple printRequires Silverbrook, EP pull on ink printed are selected by headfabrication can magnetic ink 0771 658 A2 and some manner (e.g. be usedInk colors other related patent thermally induced The drop than blackare applications surface tension selection means difficult reduction ofdoes not need to Requires very pressurized ink). provide the energy highmagnetic fields Selected drops are required to separate separated fromthe ink the drop from the in the nozzle by a nozzle strong magneticfield acting on the magnetic ink. Shutter The actuator moves a Highspeed (>50 Moving parts are IJ13, IJ17, IJ21 shutter to block ink KHz)operation can required flow to the nozzle. The be achieved due toRequires ink ink pressure is pulsed reduced refill time pressuremodulator at a multiple of the Drop timing can Friction and wear dropejection be very accurate must be considered frequency. The actuatorStiction is energy can be very possible low Shuttered The actuator movesa Actuators with Moving parts are IJ08, IJ15, IJ18, IJ19 grill shutterto block ink small travel can be required flow through a grill to usedRequires ink the nozzle. The shutter Actuators with pressure modulatormovement need only small force can be Friction and wear be equal to thewidth used must be considered of the grill holes. High speed (>50Stiction is KHz) operation can possible be achieved Pulsed A pulsedmagnetic Extremely low Requires an IJ10 magnetic field attracts an ‘inkenergy operation is external pulsed pull on ink pusher’ at the droppossible magnetic field pusher ejection frequency. An No heat Requiresspecial actuator controls a dissipation materials for both catch, whichprevents problems the actuator and the the ink pusher from ink pushermoving when a drop is Complex not to be ejected. construction

Auxiliary Mechanism (Applied to All Nozzles) Auxiliary mechanismDescription Advantages Disadvantages Examples None The actuator directlySimplicity of Drop ejection Most inkjets, fires the ink drop, andconstruction energy must be including there is no external Simplicity ofsupplied by piezoelectric and field or other operation individual nozzlethermal bubble. mechanism required. Small physical actuator IJ01-IJ07,IJ09, IJ11 size IJ12, IJ14, IJ20, IJ22, IJ23-IJ44 Oscillating The inkpressure Oscillating ink Requires external Silverbrook, EP ink pressureoscillates, providing pressure can provide ink pressure 0771 658 A2 and(including much of the drop a refill pulse, oscillator related patentacoustic ejection energy. The allowing higher Ink pressure applicationsstimulation) actuator selects which operating speed phase and amplitudeIJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17 drops are to be fired The actuators must becarefully IJ18, IJ19, IJ21 by selectively may operate with controlledblocking or enabling much lower energy Acoustic nozzles. The inkAcoustic lenses reflections in the ink pressure oscillation can be usedto focus chamber must be may be achieved by the sound on the designedfor vibrating the print nozzles head, or preferably by an actuator inthe ink supply. Media The print head is Low power Precision Silverbrook,EP proximity placed in close High accuracy assembly required 0771 658 A2and proximity to the print Simple print head Paper fibers may relatedpatent medium. Selected construction cause problems applications dropsprotrude from Cannot print on the print head further rough substratesthan unselected drops, and contact the print medium. The drop soaks intothe medium fast enough to cause drop separation. Transfer Drops areprinted to a High accuracy Bulky Silverbrook, EP roller transfer rollerinstead Wide range of Expensive 0771 658 A2 and of straight to the printprint substrates can Complex related patent medium. A transfer be usedconstruction applications roller can also be used Ink can be driedTektronix hot for proximity drop on the transfer roller meltpiezoelectric separation. inkjet Any of the IJ series Electro- Anelectric field is Low power Field strength Silverbrook, EP static usedto accelerate Simple print head required for 0771 658 A2 and selecteddrops towards construction separation of small related patent the printmedium. drops is near or applications above air breakdown Tone-JetDirect A magnetic field is Low power Requires Silverbrook, EP magneticused to accelerate Simple print head magnetic ink 0771 658 A2 and fieldselected drops of construction Requires strong related patent magneticink towards magnetic field applications the print medium. Cross Theprint head is Does not require Requires external IJ06, IJ16 magneticplaced in a constant magnetic materials magnet field magnetic field. Theto be integrated in Current densities Lorenz force in a the print headmay be high, current carrying wire manufacturing resulting in is used tomove the process electromigration actuator. problems Pulsed A pulsedmagnetic Very low power Complex print IJ10 magnetic field is used tooperation is possible head construction field cyclically attract a Smallprint head Magnetic paddle, which pushes size materials required in onthe ink. A small print head actuator moves a catch, which selectivelyprevents the paddle from moving.

Actuator Amplification or Modification Method Actuator amplificationDescription Advantages Disadvantages Examples None No actuatorOperational Many actuator Thermal Bubble mechanical simplicitymechanisms have Inkjet amplification is used. insufficient travel, IJ01,IJ02, IJ06, IJ07 The actuator directly or insufficient force, IJ16,IJ25, IJ26 drives the drop to efficiently drive ejection process. thedrop ejection process Differential An actuator material Provides greaterHigh stresses are Piezoelectric expansion bend expands more on onetravel in a reduced involved IJ03, IJ09, IJ17-IJ24 actuator side than onthe other. print head area Care must be IJ27, IJ29-IJ39, IJ42, Theexpansion may be The bend actuator taken that the IJ43, IJ44 thermal,piezoelectric, converts a high force materials do not magnetostrictive,or low travel actuator delaminate other mechanism. mechanism to highResidual bend travel, lower resulting from high force mechanism.temperature or high stress during formation Transient bend A trilayerbend Very good High stresses are IJ40, IJ41 actuator actuator where thetwo temperature stability involved outside layers are High speed, as aCare must be identical. This cancels new drop can be taken that the benddue to ambient fired before heat materials do not temperature anddissipates delaminate residual stress. The Cancels residual actuatoronly responds stress of formation to transient heating of one side orthe other. Actuator A series of thin Increased travel Increased Somepiezoelectric stack actuators are stacked. Reduced drive fabrication inkjets This can be voltage complexity IJ04 appropriate where Increasedactuators require high possibility of short electric field strength,circuits due to such as electrostatic pinholes and piezoelectricactuators. Multiple Multiple smaller Increases the Actuator forces IJ12,IJ13, IJ18, IJ20 actuators actuators are used force available from maynot add IJ22, IJ28, IJ42, IJ43 simultaneously to an actuator linearly,reducing move the ink. Each Multiple efficiency actuator need provideactuators can be only a portion of the positioned to control forcerequired. ink flow accurately Linear A linear spring is used Matches lowRequires print IJ15 Spring to transform a motion travel actuator withhead area for the with small travel and higher travel spring high forceinto a requirements longer travel, lower Non-contact force motion.method of motion transformation Reverse The actuator loads a Bettercoupling Fabrication IJ05, IJ11 spring spring. When the to the inkcomplexity actuator is turned off, High stress in the the springreleases. spring This can reverse the force/distance curve of theactuator to make it compatible with the force/time requirements of thedrop ejection. Coiled A bend actuator is Increases travel GenerallyIJ17, IJ21, IJ34, IJ35 actuator coiled to provide Reduces integratedrestricted to planar greater travel in a circuit area implementationsreduced integrated Planar due to extreme circuit area. implementationsare fabrication difficulty relatively easy to in other orientations.fabricate. Flexure bend A bend actuator has a Simple means of Care mustbe IJ10, IJ19, IJ33 actuator small region near the increasing travel oftaken not to exceed fixture point, which a bend actuator the elasticlimit in flexes much more the flexure area readily than the Stressremainder of the distribution is very actuator. The actuator unevenflexing is effectively Difficult to converted from an accurately modeleven coiling to an with finite element angular bend, resulting analysisin greater travel of the actuator tip. Gears Gears can be used to Lowforce, low Moving parts are IJ13 increase travel at the travel actuatorscan required expense of duration. be used Several actuator Circulargears, rack Can be fabricated cycles are required and pinion, ratchets,using standard More complex and other gearing surface MEMS driveelectronics methods can be used. processes Complex constructionFriction, friction, and wear are possible Catch The actuator controls aVery low Complex IJ10 small catch. The catch actuator energyconstruction either enables or Very small Requires external disablesmovement of actuator size force an ink pusher that is Unsuitable forcontrolled in a bulk pigmented inks manner. Buckle plate A buckle platecan be Very fast Must stay within S. Hirata et al, used to change a slowmovement elastic limits of the “An Ink-jet Head actuator into a fastachievable materials for long . . . ”, motion. It can also device lifeProc. IEEE MEMS, convert a high force, High stresses February 1996, lowtravel actuator involved pp 418-423. into a high travel, Generally highIJ18, IJ27 medium force motion. power requirement Tapered A taperedmagnetic Linearizes the Complex IJ14 magnetic pole can increase magneticconstruction pole travel at the expense force/distance curve of force.Lever A lever and fulcrum is Matches low High stress IJ32, IJ36, IJ37used to transform a travel actuator with around the fulcrum motion withsmall higher travel travel and high force requirements into a motionwith Fulcrum area has longer travel and no linear movement, lower force.The lever and can be used for can also reverse the a fluid sealdirection of travel. Rotary The actuator is High mechanical Complex IJ28impeller connected to a rotary advantage construction impeller. A smallThe ratio of force Unsuitable for angular deflection of to travel of thepigmented inks the actuator results in actuator can be a rotation of thematched to the impeller vanes, which nozzle requirements push the inkagainst by varying the stationary vanes and number of impeller out ofthe nozzle. vanes Acoustic A refractive or No moving parts Large area1993 Hadimioglu lens diffractive (e.g. zone required et al, EUP 550,192plate) acoustic lens is Only relevant for 1993 Elrod et al, used toconcentrate acoustic ink jets EUP 572,220 sound waves. Sharp A sharppoint is used Simple Difficult to Tone-jet conductive to concentrate anconstruction fabricate using point electrostatic field. standard VLSIprocesses for a surface ejecting ink- jet Only relevant forelectrostatic ink jets

Actuator Motion Actuator motion Description Advantages DisadvantagesExamples Volume The volume of the Simple High energy is Hewlett-Packardexpansion actuator changes, construction in the typically required toThermal Inkjet pushing the ink in all case of thermal ink achieve volumeCanon Bubblejet directions. jet expansion. This leads to thermal stress,cavitation, and kogation in thermal ink jet implementations Linear,normal The actuator moves in Efficient High fabrication IJ01, IJ02,IJ04, IJ07 to integrated a direction normal to coupling to inkcomplexity may be IJ11, IJ14 circuit surface the print head surface.drops ejected required to achieve The nozzle is typically normal to theperpendicular in the line of movement. surface motion Linear, parallelThe actuator moves Suitable for Fabrication IJ12, IJ13, IJ15, IJ33, tointegrated parallel to the print planar fabrication complexity IJ34,IJ35, IJ36 circuit surface head surface. Drop Friction ejection maystill be Stiction normal to the surface. Membrane An actuator with a Theeffective Fabrication 1982 Howkins push high force but small area of theactuator complexity U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,601 area is used to push abecomes the Actuator size stiff membrane that is membrane areaDifficulty of in contact with the ink. integration in a VLSI processRotary The actuator causes Rotary levers Device IJ05, IJ08, IJ13, IJ28the rotation of some may be used to complexity element, such a grill orincrease travel May have impeller Small integrated friction at a pivotcircuit area point requirements Bend The actuator bends A very smallRequires the 1970 Kyser et al when energized. This change in actuator tobe made U.S. Pat. No. 3,946,398 may be due to dimensions can be from atleast two 1973 Stemme differential thermal converted to a large distinctlayers, or to U.S. Pat. No. 3,747,120 expansion, motion. have a thermalIJ03, IJ09, IJ10, piezoelectric difference across the IJ19, IJ23, IJ24,expansion, actuator IJ25, IJ29, IJ30, magnetostriction, or IJ31, IJ33,IJ34, other form of relative IJ35 dimensional change. Swivel Theactuator swivels Allows operation Inefficient IJ06 around a centralpivot. where the net linear coupling to the ink This motion is suitableforce on the paddle motion where there are is zero opposite forces Smallintegrated applied to opposite circuit area sides of the paddle,requirements e.g. Lorenz force. Straighten The actuator is Can be usedwith Requires careful IJ26, IJ32 normally bent, and shape memory balanceof stresses straightens when alloys where the to ensure that theenergized. austenic phase is quiescent bend is planar accurate Doublebend The actuator bends in One actuator can Difficult to make IJ36,IJ37, IJ38 one direction when be used to power the drops ejected by oneelement is two nozzles. both bend directions energized, and bendsReduced integrated identical. the other way when circuit size. A smallanother element is Not sensitive to efficiency loss energized. ambienttemperature compared to equivalent single bend actuators. ShearEnergizing the Can increase the Not readily 1985 Fishbeck actuatorcauses a shear effective travel of applicable to other U.S. Pat. No.4,584,590 motion in the actuator piezoelectric actuator material.actuators mechanisms Radial con- The actuator squeezes Relatively easyHigh force 1970 Zoltan striction an ink reservoir, to fabricate singlerequired U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,212 forcing ink from a nozzles from glassInefficient constricted nozzle. tubing as Difficult to macroscopicintegrate with VLSI structures processes Coil/uncoil A coiled actuatorEasy to fabricate Difficult to IJ17, IJ21, IJ34, uncoils or coils moreas a planar VLSI fabricate for non- IJ35 tightly. The motion of processplanar devices the free end of the Small area Poor out-of-plane actuatorejects the ink. required, therefore stiffness low cost Bow The actuatorbows (or Can increase the Maximum travel IJ16, IJ18, IJ27 buckles) inthe middle speed of travel is constrained when energized. MechanicallyHigh force rigid required Push-Pull Two actuators control The structureis Not readily IJ18 a shutter. One actuator pinned at both ends,suitable for ink jets pulls the shutter, and so has a high out-of- whichdirectly push the other pushes it. plane rigidity the ink Curl A set ofactuators curl Good fluid flow Design IJ20, IJ42 inwards inwards toreduce the to the region behind complexity volume of ink that theactuator they enclose. increases efficiency Curl A set of actuators curlRelatively simple Relatively large IJ43 outwards outwards, pressurizingconstruction integrated ink in a chamber circuit area surrounding theactuators, and expelling ink from a nozzle in the chamber. Iris Multiplevanes enclose High efficiency High fabrication IJ22 a volume of ink.These Small integrated complexity simultaneously rotate, circuit areaNot suitable for reducing the volume pigmented inks between the vanes.Acoustic The actuator vibrates The actuator can Large area 1993Hadimioglu vibration at a high frequency. be physically distant requiredfor et al, EUP 550,192 from the ink efficient operation 1993 Elrod etal, at useful frequencies EUP 572,220 Acoustic coupling and crosstalkComplex drive circuitry Poor control of drop volume and position None Invarious ink jet No moving parts Various other Silverbrook, EP designsthe actuator tradeoffs are 0771 658 A2 and does not move. required torelated patent eliminate moving applications parts Tone-jet

Nozzle Refill Method Nozzle refill method Description AdvantagesDisadvantages Examples Surface After the actuator is Fabrication Lowspeed Thermal inkjet tension energized, it typically simplicity Surfacetension Piezoelectric returns rapidly to its Operational forcerelatively inkjet normal position. This simplicity small compared toIJ01-IJ07, IJ10-IJ14, rapid return sucks in actuator force IJ16, IJ20,IJ22-IJ45 air through the nozzle Long refill time opening. The inkusually dominates surface tension at the the total repetition nozzlethen exerts a rate small force restoring the meniscus to a minimum area.Shuttered Ink to the nozzle High speed Requires IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17oscillating chamber is provided at Low actuator common ink IJ18, IJ19,IJ21 ink pressure a pressure that energy, as the pressure oscillatoroscillates at twice the actuator need only May not be drop ejection openor close the suitable for frequency. When a shutter, instead ofpigmented inks drop is to be ejected, ejecting the ink drop the shutteris opened for 3 half cycles: drop ejection, actuator return, and refill.Refill After the main High speed, as Requires two IJ09 actuator actuatorhas ejected a the nozzle is independent drop a second (refill) activelyrefilled actuators per nozzle actuator is energized. The refill actuatorpushes ink into the nozzle chamber. The refill actuator returns slowly,to prevent its return from emptying the chamber again. Positive ink Theink is held a slight High refill rate, Surface spill Silverbrook, EP0771 pressure positive pressure. After therefore a high must beprevented 658 A2 and related the ink drop is ejected, drop repetitionrate Highly patent applications the nozzle chamber fills is possiblehydrophobic print Alternative for: quickly as surface tension headsurfaces are IJ01-IJ07, IJ10-IJ14 and ink pressure both required IJ16,IJ20, IJ22-IJ45 operate to refill the nozzle.

Method of Restricting Back-Flow Through Inlet Inlet back-flowrestriction method Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Longinlet The ink inlet channel Design simplicity Restricts refill Thermalinkjet channel to the nozzle chamber Operational rate Piezoelectric ismade long and simplicity May result in a inkjet relatively narrow,Reduces relatively large IJ42, IJ43 relying on viscous crosstalkintegrated drag to reduce inlet circuit area back-flow. Only partiallyeffective Positive ink The ink is under a Drop selection Requires aSilverbrook, EP 0771 pressure positive pressure, so and separationmethod (such as a 658 A2 and related that in the quiescent forces can benozzle rim or patent applications state some of the ink reducedeffective Possible operation drop already protrudes Fast refill timehydrophobizing, or of the following: from the nozzle. both) to preventIJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ12 This reduces the flooding of the IJ14, IJ16, IJ20,IJ22, pressure in the nozzle ejection surface of IJ23-IJ34, IJ36-IJ41chamber which is the print head. IJ44 required to eject a certain volumeof ink. The reduction in chamber pressure results in a reduction in inkpushed out through the inlet. Baffle One or more baffles The refill rateis Design HP Thermal Ink Jet are placed in the inlet not as restrictedas complexity Tektronix ink flow. When the the long inlet May increasepiezoelectric ink jet actuator is energized, method. fabrication therapid ink Reduces complexity (e.g. movement creates crosstalk Tektronixhot melt eddies which restrict Piezoelectric print the flow through theheads). inlet. The slower refill process is unrestricted, and does notresult in eddies. Flexible flap In this method recently SignificantlyNot applicable to Canon restricts disclosed by Canon, reduces back-flowmost inkjet inlet the expanding actuator for edge-shooter configurations(bubble) pushes on a thermal ink jet Increased flexible flap thatdevices fabrication restricts the inlet. complexity Inelasticdeformation of polymer flap results in creep over extended use Inletfilter A filter is located Additional Restricts refill IJ04, IJ12, IJ24,IJ27 between the ink inlet advantage of ink rate IJ29, IJ30 and thenozzle filtration May result in chamber. The filter Ink filter may becomplex has a multitude of fabricated with no construction small holesor slots, additional process restricting ink flow. steps The filter alsoremoves particles which may block the nozzle. Small inlet The ink inletchannel Design simplicity Restricts refill IJ02, IJ37, IJ44 compared tothe nozzle chamber rate to nozzle has a substantially May result in asmaller cross section relatively large than that of the nozzle,integrated resulting in easier ink circuit area egress out of the Onlypartially nozzle than out of the effective inlet. Inlet shutter Asecondary actuator Increases speed Requires separate IJ09 controls theposition of of the ink-jet print refill actuator and a shutter, closingoff head operation drive circuit the ink inlet when the main actuator isenergized. The inlet is The method avoids the Back-flow Requires carefulIJ01, IJ03, 1J05, IJ06 located problem of inlet back- problem is designto minimize IJ07, IJ10, IJ11, IJ14 behind the flow by arranging theeliminated the negative IJ16, IJ22, IJ23, IJ25 ink-pushing ink-pushingsurface of pressure behind the IJ28, IJ31, IJ32, IJ33 surface theactuator between paddle IJ34, IJ35, IJ36, IJ39 the inlet and the IJ40,IJ41 nozzle. Part of the The actuator and a Significant Small increasein IJ07, IJ20, IJ26, IJ38 actuator wall of the ink reductions in back-fabrication moves to chamber are arranged flow can be complexity shutoff the so that the motion of achieved inlet the actuator closes offCompact designs the inlet. possible Nozzle In some configurations Inkback-flow None related to Silverbrook, EP actuator of ink jet, there isno problem is ink back-flow on 0771 658 A2 and does not expansion oreliminated actuation related patent result in ink movement of anapplications back-flow actuator which may Valve-jet cause ink back-flowTone-jet through the inlet. IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17 IJ18, IJ19, IJ21

Nozzle Clearing Method Nozzle Clearing method Description AdvantagesDisadvantages Examples Normal All of the nozzles are No added May not beMost ink jet nozzle firing fired periodically, complexity on thesufficient to systems before the ink has a print head displace dried inkIJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ12 chance to dry. When IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, IJ22 not inuse the nozzles IJ23-IJ34, IJ36-IJ45 are sealed (capped) against air.The nozzle firing is usually performed during a special clearing cycle,after first moving the print head to a cleaning station. Extra Insystems which heat Can be highly Requires higher Silverbrook, EP powerto the ink, but do not boil effective if the drive voltage for 0771 658A2 and ink heater it under normal heater is adjacent to clearing relatedpatent situations, nozzle the nozzle May require applications clearingcan be larger drive achieved by over- transistors powering the heaterand boiling ink at the nozzle. Rapid The actuator is fired in Does notrequire Effectiveness May be used with: succession rapid succession. Inextra drive circuits depends IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ11 of actuator someconfigurations, on the print head substantially upon IJ14, IJ16, IJ20,IJ22 pulses this may cause heat Can be readily the configuration ofIJ23-IJ25, IJ27-IJ34 build-up at the nozzle controlled and the inkjetnozzle IJ36-IJ45 which boils the ink, initiated by digital clearing thenozzle. In logic other situations, it may cause sufficient vibrations todislodge clogged nozzles. Extra Where an actuator is A simple Notsuitable May be used with: power to not normally driven to solutionwhere where there is a IJ03, IJ09, IJ16, IJ20 ink pushing the limit ofits motion, applicable hard limit to IJ23, IJ24, IJ25, IJ27 actuatornozzle clearing may be actuator movement IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 assistedby providing IJ39, IJ40, IJ41, IJ42 an enhanced drive IJ43, IJ44, IJ45signal to the actuator. Acoustic An ultrasonic wave is A high nozzleHigh IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17 resonance applied to the ink clearingcapability implementation cost IJ18, IJ19, IJ21 chamber. This wave iscan be achieved if system does not of an appropriate May be alreadyinclude an amplitude and implemented at very acoustic actuator frequencyto cause low cost in systems sufficient force at the which alreadynozzle to clear include acoustic blockages. This is actuators easiest toachieve if the ultrasonic wave is at a resonant frequency of the inkcavity. Nozzle A microfabricated Can clear Accurate mechanicalSilverbrook, EP clearing plate is pushed against severely cloggedalignment is 0771 658 A2 and plate the nozzles. The plate nozzlesrequired related patent has a post for every Moving parts areapplications nozzle. The array of required posts There is risk of damageto the nozzles Accurate fabrication is required Ink The pressure of theink May be effective Requires May be used pressure is temporarily whereother pressure pump or with all IJ series ink pulse increased so thatink methods cannot be other pressure jets streams from all of the usedactuator nozzles. This may be Expensive used in conjunction Wasteful ofink with actuator energizing. Print head A flexible ‘blade’ is Effectivefor Difficult to use if Many ink jet wiper wiped across the print planarprint head print head surface is systems head surface. The surfacesnon-planar or very blade is usually Low cost fragile fabricated from aRequires flexible polymer, e.g. mechanical parts rubber or syntheticBlade can wear elastomer. out in high volume print systems Separate Aseparate heater is Can be effective Fabrication Can be used with inkboiling provided at the nozzle where other nozzle complexity many IJseries ink heater although the normal clearing methods jets drope-ection cannot be used mechanism does not Can be require it. Theheaters implemented at no do not require additional cost in individualdrive some ink jet circuits, as many configurations nozzles can becleared simultaneously, and no imaging is required.

Nozzle Plate Construction Nozzle plate construction DescriptionAdvantages Disadvantages Examples Electro- A nozzle plate is FabricationHigh Hewlett Packard formed separately fabricated simplicitytemperatures and Thermal Inkjet nickel from electroformed pressures arenickel, and bonded to required to bond the print head nozzle plateintegrated circuit . Minimum thickness constraints Differential thermalexpansion Laser Individual nozzle No masks Each hole must CanonBubblejet ablated or holes are ablated by an required be individually1988 Sercel et drilled intense UV laser in a Can be quite fast formedal., SPIE, Vol. 998 polymer nozzle plate, which is Some control SpecialExcimer Beam typically a polymer over nozzle profile equipment requiredApplications, pp. such as polyimide or is possible Slow where there76-83 polysulphone Equipment are many thousands 1993 Watanabe requiredis relatively of nozzles per print et al., U.S. Pat. No. low cost head5,208,604 May produce thin burrs at exit holes Silicon A separate nozzleHigh accuracy is Two part K. Bean, IEEE micro- plate is attainableconstruction Transactions on machined micromachined from High costElectron Devices, single crystal silicon, Requires Vol. ED-25, No. 10,and bonded to the precision alignment 1978, pp 1185-1195 print headwafer. Nozzles may be Xerox 1990 clogged by adhesive Hawkins et al.,U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181 Glass Fine glass capillaries No expensive Verysmall 1970 Zoltan capillaries are drawn from glass equipment requirednozzle sizes are U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,212 tubing. This method Simple tomake difficult to form has been used for single nozzles Not suited formaking individual mass production nozzles, but is difficult to use forbulk manufacturing of print heads with thousands of nozzles. Monolithic,The nozzle plate is High accuracy Requires Silverbrook, EP surfacedeposited as a layer (<1 μm) sacrificial layer 0771 658 A2 and micro-using standard VLSI Monolithic under the nozzle related patent machineddeposition techniques. Low cost plate to form the applications usingVLSI Nozzles are etched in Existing nozzle chamber IJ01, IJ02, IJ04,IJ11 litho- the nozzle plate using processes can be Surface may be IJ12,IJ17, IJ18, IJ20 graphic VLSI lithography and used fragile to the touchIJ22, IJ24, IJ27, IJ28 processes etching. IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 IJ33,IJ34, IJ36, IJ37 IJ38, IJ39, IJ40, IJ41 IJ42, IJ43, IJ44 Monolithic, Thenozzle plate is a High accuracy Requires long IJ03, IJ05, IJ06, IJ07etched buried etch stop in the (<1 μm) etch times IJ08, IJ09, IJ10, IJ13through wafer. Nozzle Monolithic Requires a IJ14, IJ15, IJ16, IJ19substrate chambers are etched in Low cost support wafer IJ21, IJ23,IJ25, IJ26 the front of the wafer, No differential and the wafer isexpansion thinned from the back side. Nozzles are then etched in theetch stop layer. No nozzle Various methods have No nozzles to Difficultto Ricoh 1995 plate been tried to eliminate become clogged control dropSekiya et al the nozzles entirely, to position accurately U.S. Pat. No.5,412,413 prevent nozzle Crosstalk 1993 Hadimioglu clogging. Theseproblems et al EUP 550,192 include thermal bubble 1993 Elrod et almechanisms and EUP 572,220 acoustic lens mechanisms Trough Each dropejector has Reduced Drop firing IJ35 a trough through manufacturingdirection is sensitive which a paddle moves. complexity to wicking.There is no nozzle Monolithic plate. Nozzle slit The elimination of Nonozzles to Difficult to 1989 Saito et al instead of nozzle holes andbecome clogged control drop U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,068 individualreplacement by a slit position accurately nozzles encompassing manyCrosstalk actuator positions problems reduces nozzle clogging, butincreases crosstalk due to ink surface waves

Drop Ejection Direction Ejection direction Description AdvantagesDisadvantages Examples Edge Ink flow is along the Simple Nozzles limitedCanon Bubblejet (‘edge surface of the construction to edge 1979 Endo etal GB shooter’) integrated No silicon High resolution patent 2,007,162circuit, and ink etching required is difficult Xerox heater-in-pit dropsare ejected Good heat Fast color 1990 Hawkins et al from the integratedsinking via substrate printing requires U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181 circuitedge. Mechanically one print head per Tone-jet strong color Ease ofintegrated circuit handing Surface Ink flow is along the No bulk siliconMaximum ink Hewlett-Packard TIJ (‘roof surface of the etching requiredflow is severely 1982 Vaught et al shooter’) integrated circuit, Siliconcan make restricted U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,728 and ink drops are aneffective heat IJ02, IJ11, IJ12, IJ20 ejected from the sink IJ22integrated circuit Mechanical surface, normal to the strength plane ofthe integrated circuit . Through Ink flow is through the High ink flowRequires bulk Silverbrook, EP integrated integrated circuit, Suitablefor silicon etching 0771 658 A2 and circuit,forward and ink drops arepagewidth print related patent (‘up shooter’) ejected from the frontHigh nozzle applications surface of the packing density IJ04, IJ17,IJ18, IJ24 integrated circuit. therefore low IJ27-IJ45 manufacturingcost Through Ink flow is through the High ink flow Requires wafer IJ01,IJ03, IJ05, IJ06 integrated integrated circuit, Suitable for thinningIJ07, IJ08, IJ09, IJ10 circuit, reverse and ink drops are pagewidthprint Requires special IJ13, IJ14, IJ15, IJ16 (‘down ejected from therear High nozzle handling during IJ19, IJ21, IJ23, IJ25 shooter’)surface of the packing density manufacture IJ26 integrated circuit.therefore low manufacturing cost Through Ink flow is through theSuitable for Pagewidth print Epson Stylus actuator actuator, which isnot piezoelectric print heads require Tektronix hot fabricated as partof heads several thousand melt piezoelectric the same substrate asconnections to drive ink jets the drive transistors. circuits Cannot bemanufactured in standard CMOS fabs Complex assembly required

Ink Type Ink type Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Aqueous,Water based ink which Environmentally Slow drying Most existing inkjetsdye typically contains: friendly Corrosive All IJ series ink jets water,dye, surfactant, No odor Bleeds on paper Silverbrook, EP 0771 humectant,and May strikethrough 658 A2 and related biocide. Cockles paper patentapplications Modern ink dyes have high water-fastness, light fastnessAqueous, Water based ink which Environmentally Slow drying IJ02, IJ04,IJ21, IJ26 pigment typically contains: friendly Corrosive IJ27, IJ30water, pigment, No odor Pigment may Silverbrook, EP 0771 surfactant,humectant, Reduced bleed clog nozzles 658 A2 and related and biocide.Reduced wicking Pigment may patent applications Pigments have an Reducedclog actuator Piezoelectric ink-jets advantage in reduced strikethroughmechanisms Thermal ink jets bleed, wicking and Cockles paper (withsignificant strikethrough. restrictions) Methyl Ethyl MEK is a highlyVery fast drying Odorous All IJ series ink jets Ketone (MEK) volatilesolvent used Prints on various Flammable for industrial printingsubstrates such as on difficult surfaces metals and plastics such asaluminum cans. Alcohol Alcohol based inks Fast drying Slight odor All IJseries ink jets (ethanol, 2- can be used where the Operates at sub-Flammable butanol, printer must operate at freezing and others)temperatures below temperatures the freezing point of Reduced paperwater. An example of cockle this is in-camera Low cost consumerphotographic printing. Phase change The ink is solid at No drying time-High viscosity Tektronix hot melt (hot melt) room temperature, and inkinstantly freezes Printed ink piezoelectric ink jets is melted in theprint on the print medium typically has a 1989 Nowak head beforejetting. Almost any print ‘waxy’ feel U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,346 Hot meltinks are medium can be used Printed pages All IJ series ink jets usuallywax based, No paper cockle may ‘block’ with a melting point occurs Inktemperature around 80° C. After No wicking occurs may be above thejetting the ink freezes No bleed occurs curie point of almost instantlyupon No strikethrough permanent magnets contacting the print occurs Inkheaters medium or a transfer consume power roller. Long warm-up time OilOil based inks are High solubility High viscosity: All IJ series inkjets extensively used in medium for some this is a significant offsetprinting. They dyes limitation for use in have advantages in Does notcockle inkjets, which improved paper usually require a characteristicson Does not wick low viscosity. Some paper (especially no through papershort chain and wicking or cockle). multi-branched oils Oil soluble diesand have a sufficiently pigments are required. low viscosity. Slowdrying Micro- A microemulsion is a Stops ink bleed Viscosity higher AllIJ series ink jets emulsion stable, self forming High dye than wateremulsion of oil, water, solubility Cost is slightly and surfactant. TheWater, oil, and higher than water characteristic drop size amphiphilicsoluble based ink is less than 100 nm, dies can be used High surfactantand is determined by Can stabilize concentration the preferred curvaturepigment suspensions required (around 5%) of the surfactant.Ink Jet Printing

A large number of new forms of ink jet printers have been developed tofacilitate alternative ink jet technologies for the image processing anddata distribution system. Various combinations of ink jet devices can beincluded in printer devices incorporated as part of the presentinvention. Australian Provisional Patent Applications relating to theseink jets which are specifically incorporated by cross reference. Theserial numbers of respective corresponding U.S. patent applications arealso provided for the sake of convenience. Austra- lian Provi- USPatent/Patent sional Application Number Filing Date Title and FilingDate PO8066 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method 6,227,652 and Apparatus(IJ01) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8072 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method 6,213,588and Apparatus (IJ02) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8040 15-Jul-97 Image CreationMethod 6,213,589 and Apparatus (IJ03) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8071 15-Jul-97Image Creation Method 6,231,163 and Apparatus (IJ04) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO8047 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method 6,247,795 and Apparatus (IJ05)(Jul. 10, 1998) PO8035 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method 6,394,581 andApparatus (IJ06) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8044 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method6,244,691 and Apparatus (IJ07) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8063 15-Jul-97 ImageCreation Method 6,257,704 and Apparatus (IJ08) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO805715-Jul-97 Image Creation Method 6,416,168 and Apparatus (IJ09) (Jul. 10,1998) PO8056 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method 6,220,694 and Apparatus(IJ10) (Jul. 10, 1998 PO8069 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method 6,257,705and Apparatus (IJ11) (Jul. 10, 1998 PO8049 15-Jul-97 Image CreationMethod 6,247,794 and Apparatus (IJ12) (Jul. 10, 1998 PO8036 15-Jul-97Image Creation Method 6,234,610 and Apparatus (IJ13) (Jul. 10, 1998PO8048 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method 6,247,793 and Apparatus (IJ14)(Jul. 10, 1998 PO8070 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method 6,264,306 andApparatus (IJ15) (Jul. 10, 1998 PO8067 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method6,241,342 and Apparatus (IJ16) (Jul. 10, 1998 PO8001 15-Jul-97 ImageCreation Method 6,247,792 and Apparatus (IJ17) (Jul. 10, 1998 PO803815-Jul-97 Image Creation Method 6,264,307 and Apparatus (IJ18) (Jul. 10,1998 PO8033 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method 6,254,220 and Apparatus(IJ19) (Jul. 10, 1998 PO8002 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method 6,234,611and Apparatus (IJ20) (Jul. 10, 1998 PO8068 15-Jul-97 Image CreationMethod 6,302,528 and Apparatus (IJ21) (Jul. 10, 1998 PO8062 15-Jul-97Image Creation Method 6,283,582 and Apparatus (IJ22) (Jul. 10, 1998PO8034 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method 6,239,821 and Apparatus (IJ23)(Jul. 10, 1998 PO8039 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method 6,338,547 andApparatus (IJ24) (Jul. 10, 1998 PO8041 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method6,247,796 and Apparatus (IJ25) (Jul. 10, 1998 PO8004 15-Jul-97 ImageCreation Method 09/113,122 and Apparatus (IJ26) (Jul. 10, 1998 PO803715-Jul-97 Image Creation Method 6,390,603 and Apparatus (IJ27) (Jul. 10,1998 PO8043 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method 6,362,843 and Apparatus(IJ28) (Jul. 10, 1998 PO8042 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method 6,293,653and Apparatus (IJ29) (Jul. 10, 1998 PO8064 15-Jul-97 Image CreationMethod 6,312,107 and Apparatus (IJ30) (Jul. 10, 1998 PO9389 23-Sep-97Image Creation Method 6,227,653 and Apparatus (IJ31) (Jul. 10, 1998PO9391 23-Sep-97 Image Creation Method 6,234,609 and Apparatus (IJ32)(Jul. 10, 1998 PP0888 12-Dec-97 Image Creation Method 6,238,040 andApparatus (IJ33) (Jul. 10, 1998 PP0891 12-Dec-97 Image Creation Method6,188,415 and Apparatus (IJ34) (Jul. 10, 1998 PP0890 12-Dec-97 ImageCreation Method 6,227,654 and Apparatus (IJ35) (Jul. 10, 1998 PP087312-Dec-97 Image Creation Method 6,209,989 and Apparatus (IJ36) (Jul. 10,1998 PP0993 12-Dec-97 Image Creation Method 6,247,791 and Apparatus(IJ37) (Jul. 10, 1998 PP0890 12-Dec-97 Image Creation Method 6,336,710and Apparatus (IJ38) (Jul. 10, 1998 PP1398 19-Jan-98 An Image Creation6,217,153 Method and Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998 (IJ39) PP2592 25-Mar-98 AnImage Creation 6,416,167 Method and Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998 (IJ40)PP2593 25-Mar-98 Image Creation Method 6,243,113 and Apparatus (IJ41)(Jul. 10, 1998 PP3991 9-Jun-98 Image Creation Method 6,283,581 andApparatus (IJ42) (Jul. 10, 1998 PP3987 9-Jun-98 Image Creation Method6,247,790 and Apparatus (IJ43) (Jul. 10, 1998 PP3985 9-Jun-98 ImageCreation Method 6,260,953 and Apparatus (IJ44) (Jul. 10, 1998 PP39839-Jun-98 Image Creation Method 6,267,469 and Apparatus (IJ45) (Jul. 10,1998Ink Jet Manufacturing

Further, the present application may utilize advanced semiconductorfabrication techniques in the construction of large arrays of ink jetprinters. Suitable manufacturing techniques are described in thefollowing Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated hereby cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding U.S.patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.Austral- US Patent/ ian Patent Provi- Application sional and FilingNumber Filing Date Title Date PO7935 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture6,224,780 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM01) PO793615-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture 6,235,212 of an Image Creation (Jul.10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM02) PO7937 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture6,280,643 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM03) PO806115-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture 6,284,147 of an Image Creation (Jul.10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM04) PO8054 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture6,214,244 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM05) PO806515-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture 6,071,750 of an Image Creation (Jul.10, 19980 Apparatus (IJM06) PO8055 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture6,267,905 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM07) PO805315-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture 6,251,298 of an Image Creation (Jul.10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM08) PO8078 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture6,258,285 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM09) PO793315-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture 6,225,138 of an Image Creation (Jul.10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM10) PO7950 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture6,241,904 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM11) PO794915-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture 6,299,786 of an Image Creation (Jul.10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM12) PO8060 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture09/113,124 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM13) PO805915-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture 6,231,773 of an Image Creation (Jul.10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM14) PO8073 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture6,190,931 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM15) PO807615-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture 6,248,249 of an Image Creation (Jul.10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM16) PO8075 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture6,290,862 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM17) PO807915-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture 6,241,906 of an Image Creation (Jul.10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM18) PO8050 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture09/113,116 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM19) PO805215-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture 6,241,905 of an Image Creation (Jul.10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM20) PO7948 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture6,451,216 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM21) PO795115-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture 6,231,772 of an Image Creation (Jul.10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM22) PO8074 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture6,274,056 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM23) PO794115-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture 6,290,861 of an Image Creation (Jul.10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM24) PO8077 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture6,248,248 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM25) PO805815-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture 6,306,671 of an Image Creation (Jul.10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM26) PO8051 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture6,331,258 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM27) PO804515-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture 6,110,754 of an Image Creation (Jul.10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM28) PO7952 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture6,294,101 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM29) PO804615-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture 6,416,679 of an Image Creation (Jul.10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM30) PO8503 11-Aug-97 A Method of Manufacture6,264,849 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM30a) PO939023-Sep-97 A Method of Manufacture 6,254,793 of an Image Creation (Jul.10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM31) PO9392 23-Sep-97 A Method of Manufacture6,235,211 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM32) PP088912-Dec-97 A Method of Manufacture 6,235,211 of an Image Creation (Jul.10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM35) PP0887 12-Dec-97 A Method of Manufacture6,264,850 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM36) PP088212-Dec-97 A Method of Manufacture 6,258,284 of an Image Creation (Jul.10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM37) PP0874 12-Dec-97 A Method of Manufacture6,258,284 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM38) PP139619-Jan-98 A Method of Manufacture 6,228,668 of an Image Creation (Jul.10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM39) PP2591 25-Mar-98 A Method of Manufacture6,180,427 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM41) PP39899-Jun-98 A Method of Manufacture 6,171,875 of an Image Creation (Jul.10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM40) PP3990 9-Jun-98 A Method of Manufacture6,267,904 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM42) PP39869-Jun-98 A Method of Manufacture 6,245,247 of an Image Creation (Jul.10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM43) PP3984 9-Jun-98 A Method of Manufacture6,245,247 of an Image Creation (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM44) PP39829-Jun-98 A Method of Manufacture 6,231,148 of an Image Creation (Jul.10, 1998) Apparatus (IJM45)Fluid Supply

Further the present application may utilize an ink delivery system tothe ink jet head. Delivery systems relating to the supply of ink to aseries of ink jet nozzles are described in the following Australianprovisional patent specifications, the disclosure of which are herebyincorporated by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respectivecorresponding U.S. patent applications are also provided for the sake ofconvenience. Australian US Patent/Patent Provisional Application andNumber Filing Date Title Filing Date PO8003 15-Jul-97 Supply Method and6,350,023 Apparatus (F1) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8005 15-Jul-97 Supply Methodand 6,318,849 Apparatus (F2) (Jul. 10, 1998)

MEMS Technology

Further, the present application may utilize advanced semiconductormicroelectromechanical techniques in the construction of large arrays ofink jet printers. Suitable microelectromechanical techniques aredescribed in the following Australian provisional patent specificationsincorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respectivecorresponding U.S. patent applications are also provided for the sake ofconvenience. Australian US Patent/Patent Provisional Application andNumber Filing Date Title Filing Date PO8006 15-Jul-97 A device (MEMS02)6,087,638 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8007 15-Jul-97 A device (MEMS03) 09/113,093(Jul. 10, 1998) PO8008 15-Jul-97 A device (MEMS04) 6,340,222 (Jul. 10,1998) PO8010 15-Jul-97 A device (MEMS05) 6,041,600 (Jul. 10, 1998)PO8011 15-Jul-97 A device (MEMS06) 6,299,300 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO794715-Jul-97 A device (MEMS07) 6,067,797 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7944 15-Jul-97 Adevice (MEMS09) 6,286,935 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7946 15-Jul-97 A device(MEMS10) 6,044,646 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9393 23-Sep-97 A Device and09/113,065 Method (MEMS11) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0875 12-Dec-97 A device(MEMS12) 09/113,078 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0894 12-Dec-97 A Device and6,382,769 Method (MEMS13) (Jul. 10, 1998)IR Technologies

Further, the present application may include the utilization of adisposable camera system such as those described in the followingAustralian provisional patent specifications incorporated here bycross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding U.S.patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.Austral- US Patent/ ian Patent Provis- Application ional and FilingNumber Filing Date Title Date PP0895 12-Dec-97 An Image Creation6,231,148 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IR01) PP0870 12-Dec-97 ADevice and 09/113,106 Method (IR02) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0869 12-Dec-97 ADevice and 6,293,658 Method (IR04) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0887 12-Dec-97Image Creation 6,614,560 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IR05)PP0885 12-Dec-97 An Image 6,238,033 Production (Jul. 10, 1998) System(IR06) PP0884 12-Dec-97 Image Creation 6,312,070 Method and (Jul. 10,1998) Apparatus (IR10) PP0886 12-Dec-97 Image Creation 6,238,111 Methodand (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (IR12) PP0871 12-Dec-97 A Device and09/113,086 Method (IR13) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0876 12-Dec-97 An Image09/113,094 Processing (Jul. 10, 1998) Method and Apparatus (IR14) PP087712-Dec-97 A Device and 6,378,970 Method (IR16) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP087812-Dec-97 A Device and 6,196,739 Method (IR17) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP088312-Dec-97 A Device and 6,270,182 Method (IR19) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP088012-Dec-97 A Device and 6,152,619 Method (IR20) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP088112-Dec-97 A Device and 09/113,092 Method (IR21) (Jul. 10, 1998)DotCard Technologies

Further, the present application may include the utilization of a datadistribution system such as that described in the following Australianprovisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference.The serial numbers of respective corresponding U.S. patent applicationsare also provided for the sake of convenience. Austra- US Patent/ lianPatent Provis- Application ional and Filing Number Filing Date TitleDate PP2370 16-Mar-98 Data Processing 6,786,420 Method and (Jul. 10,1998) Apparatus (Dot01) PP2371 16-Mar-98 Data Processing 09/113,052Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (Dot02)Artcam Technologies

Further, the present application may include the utilization of cameraand data processing techniques such as an Artcam type device asdescribed in the following Australian provisional patent specificationsincorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respectivecorresponding U.S. patent applications are also provided for the sake ofconvenience. Austral- US Patent/ ian Patent Provi- Application sionaland Filing Number Filing Date Title Date PO7991 15-Jul-97 ImageProcessing Method 6,750,901 and Apparatus (ART01) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO798815-Jul-97 Image Processing Method 6,476,863 and Apparatus (ART02) (Jul.10, 1998) PO7993 15-Jul-97 Image Processing Method 6,788,336 andApparatus (ART03) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9395 23-Sep-97 Data ProcessingMethod 6,322,181 and Apparatus (ART04) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8017 15-Jul-97Image Processing Method 6,597,817 and Apparatus (ART06) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO8014 15-Jul-97 Media Device (ART07) 6,227,648 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO802515-Jul-97 Image Processing Method 6,727,948 and Apparatus (ART08) (Jul.10, 1998) PO8032 15-Jul-97 Image Processing Method 6,690,419 andApparatus (ART09) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7999 15-Jul-97 Image ProcessingMethod 6,727,951 and Apparatus (ART10) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7998 15-Jul-97Image Processing Method 09/112,742 and Apparatus (ART11) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO8031 15-Jul-97 Image Processing Method 09/112,741 and Apparatus(ART12) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8030 15-Jul-97 Media Device (ART13) 6,196,541(Jul. 10, 1998) PO7997 15-Jul-97 Media Device (ART15) 6,195,150 (Jul.10, 1998) PO7979 15-Jul-97 Media Device (ART16) 6,362,868 (Jul. 10,1998) PO8015 15-Jul-97 Media Device (ART17) 09/112,738 (Jul. 10, 1998)PO7978 15-Jul-97 Media Device (ART18) 09/113,067 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO798215-Jul-97 Data Processing Method 6,431,669 and Apparatus (ART19) (Jul.10, 1998 PO7989 15-Jul-97 Data Processing Method 6,362,869 and Apparatus(ART20) (Jul. 10, 1998 PO8019 15-Jul-97 Media Processing Method6,472,052 and Apparatus (ART21) (Jul. 10, 1998 PO7980 15-Jul-97 ImageProcessing Method 6,356,715 and Apparatus (ART22) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO801815-Jul-97 Image Processing Method 09/112,777 and Apparatus (ART24) (Jul.10, 1998) PO7938 15-Jul-97 Image Processing Method 6,636,216 andApparatus (ART25) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8016 15-Jul-97 Image ProcessingMethod 6,366,693 and Apparatus (ART26) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8024 15-Jul-97Image Processing Method 6,329,990 and Apparatus (ART27) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO7940 15-Jul-97 Data Processing Method 09/113,072 and Apparatus (ART28)(Jul. 10, 1998) PO7939 15-Jul-97 Data Processing Method 6,459,495 andApparatus (ART29) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8501 11-Aug-97 Image ProcessingMethod 6,137,500 and Apparatus (ART30) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8500 11-Aug-97Image Processing Method 6,690,416 and Apparatus (ART31) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO7987 15-Jul-97 Data Processing Method 09/113,071 and Apparatus (ART32)(Jul. 10, 1998) PO8022 15-Jul-97 Image Processing Method 6,398,328 andApparatus (ART33) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8497 11-Aug-97 Image ProcessingMethod 09/113,090 and Apparatus (ART34) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8020 15-Jul-97Data Processing Method 6,431,704 and Apparatus (ART38) (Jul. 10, 1998PO8023 15-Jul-97 Data Processing Method 09/113,222 and Apparatus (ART39)(Jul. 10, 1998) PO8504 11-Aug-97 Image Processing Method 09/112,786 andApparatus (ART42) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8000 15-Jul-97 Data ProcessingMethod 6,415,054 and Apparatus (ART43) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7977 15-Jul-97Data Processing Method 09/112,782 and Apparatus (ART44) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO7934 15-Jul-97 Data Processing Method 6,665,454 and Apparatus (ART45)(Jul. 10, 1998) PO7990 15-Jul-97 Data Processing Method 6,542,645 andApparatus (ART46) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8499 11-Aug-97 Image ProcessingMethod 6,486,886 and Apparatus (ART47) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8502 11-Aug-97Image Processing Method 6,381,361 and Apparatus (ART48) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO7981 15-Jul-97 Data Processing Method 6,317,192 and Apparatus (ART50)(Jul. 10, 1998) PO7986 15-Jul-97 Data Processing Method 09/113,057 andApparatus (ART51) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7983 15-Jul-97 Data ProcessingMethod 6,646,757 and Apparatus (ART52) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8026 15-Jul-97Image Processing Method 09/112,752 and Apparatus (ART53) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO8027 15-Jul-97 Image Processing Method 09/112,759 and Apparatus(ART54) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8028 15-Jul-97 Image Processing Method6,624,848 and Apparatus (ART56) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9394 23-Sep-97 ImageProcessing Method 6,357,135 and Apparatus (ART57) (Jul. 10, 1998 PO939623-Sep-97 Data Processing Method 09/113,107 and Apparatus (ART58) (Jul.10, 1998) PO9397 23-Sep-97 Data Processing Method 6,271,931 andApparatus (ART59) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9398 23-Sep-97 Data ProcessingMethod 6,353,772 and Apparatus (ART60) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9399 23-Sep-97Data Processing Method 6,106,147 and Apparatus (ART61) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO9400 23-Sep-97 Data Processing Method 6,665,008 and Apparatus (ART62)(Jul. 10, 1998) PO9401 23-Sep-97 Data Processing Method 6,304,291 andApparatus (ART63) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9402 23-Sep-97 Data ProcessingMethod 09/112,788 and Apparatus (ART64) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9403 23-Sep-97Data Processing Method 6,305,770 and Apparatus (ART65) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO9405 23-Sep-97 Data Processing Method 6,289,262 and Apparatus (ART66)(Jul. 10, 1998) PP0959 16-Dec-97 A Data Processing Method 6,315,200 andApparatus (ART68) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP1397 19-Jan-98 A Media Device(ART69) 6,217,165 (Jul. 10, 1998)

1. A platen for a print on demand digital device includes: a planarmember to support print media; a print media transport roller located ona first side of the planar member to move the print media; and a cuttingmechanism located on a second opposite side of the planar member tosever the print media and arranged to increment a counter with eachsevering operation.
 2. A platen according to claim 1, wherein thecutting mechanism includes a cutting edge and a cutting edge transportassembly disposed along the second side of the planar member.
 3. Aplaten according to claim 2, wherein the cutting edge transport assemblycomprises body, to which the cutting edge is fixed, driven by a threadedrod.
 4. A platen according to claim 3, including a member driven by thethreaded rod to engage an edge of the counter.
 5. A platen according toclaim 4, wherein the member comprises a pawl mounted upon the body andarranged to rotate the counter by engagement the edge of the counter. 6.A platen according to claim 1, further including a printhead cappingmechanism.
 7. A platen according to claim 6, wherein the printheadcapping mechanism is fast with the planar member.
 8. A platen accordingto claim 7, wherein the printhead capping mechanism includes biasingmembers arranged to bias a printhead capping member away from theplaten.
 9. A platen according to claim 8, wherein the printhead cappingmechanism includes an electromagnetic assembly to selectively overcomethe biasing members.
 10. A platen according to claim 9, wherein theprinthead capping mechanism includes an elongated sponge to blot theprinthead.
 11. A platen according to claim 9, wherein theelectromagnetic assembly includes a coil that acts as a solenoid.